On Friday, May 6, an inmate in the Beaufort County Detention Center died by what has been determined by officials as suicide. The inmate, whose name has not been released, was found unresponsive in their cell by corrections officers during a routine check. Despite immediate efforts to revive the inmate, they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was called to investigate the incident, as is standard procedure in cases involving the death of an inmate in custody.

Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased inmate, saying, "Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased inmate during this difficult time. We are cooperating fully with SLED's investigation and are committed to ensuring that our Detention Center continues to provide a safe environment for its inmates."

ACA of Public Safety John Robinson also issued a statement, saying, "The Beaufort County Detention Center takes the well-being of its inmates seriously. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and have worked closely with SLED to determine the cause of the incident."

Beaufort County is providing grief counseling to the staff who were involved with the incident and has encouraged staff to contact the Beaufort County Director of Wellness for any assistance they may need.

The Beaufort County Detention Center is a 326-bed facility that houses both pre-trial detainees and convicted offenders. The facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and adheres to strict standards for the care and treatment of inmates.