CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

PRESTONSBURG — A Floyd County Detention Center inmate died Saturday after jail staff found him unresponsive from an apparent suicide attempt, according to Ross C. Shurtleff, chief of the Prestonsburg City Police Department.

Shurtleff said in a news release that the jail called Prestonsburg/Floyd County 911 at approximately 1 p.m. Nov. 29 to report that staff discovered inmate Jeffery Lumpkins, 39, of Hazard, unresponsive.

Prestonsburg Fire/EMS, Sgt. Keegan S. Williams and Patrolman Jonathan Layne responded and found jail staff performing CPR.

EMS transported Lumpkins to Highlands Regional ARH, where officials pronounced him dead despite lifesaving efforts.

Per department protocol, Sgt. Williams notified Detective Dennis M. Hutchinson, who interviewed staff and reviewed high-definition surveillance video. Shurtleff said the footage confirmed that Lumpkins’ injuries were self-inflicted.

A cellmate told investigators Lumpkins had expressed suicidal thoughts in the days leading up to his death. Lumpkins’ wife also reported their relationship had been tumultuous and that he had recently threatened self-harm, Shurtleff said.

Lumpkins’ body was transported to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Preliminary autopsy findings indicate his death was consistent with suicide by hanging, with no signs of other trauma, Shurtleff said. Toxicology results are pending.

Shurtleff said investigators have found no indication of foul play.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections is conducting a parallel investigation.

Shurtleff said the Prestonsburg City Police Department routinely investigates criminal and non-criminal deaths, and all uniform offense reports undergo multiple supervisory reviews.

The case remains under investigation by Detective Hutchinson.