An investigation is underway after a 60-year-old inmate was found unresponsive inside his jail cell Thursday night.
Corrections officers at the Riley County Jail in Manhattan, Kansas, discovered the inmate at approximately 9:22 p.m., according to a media release from Riley County Public Information Officer Joshua Kinder.
Officials identified the man as Michael Lee Stanfield, 60, of Manhattan.
Emergency Medical Personnel Respond
Jail staff alerted Riley County Emergency Medical Services after discovering Stanfield unresponsive.
EMS personnel arrived at the detention facility at approximately 9:29 p.m., seven minutes after corrections officers reported finding him.
Responders attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive Stanfield. He was pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m., less than 30 minutes after he was initially discovered.
Officials did not disclose the specific resuscitation measures performed by jail staff or medical personnel.
No Criminal Activity Suspected
The Riley County Police Department said preliminary information did not indicate that criminal activity contributed to Stanfield’s death.
However, officials have not announced an official cause or manner of death. Those determinations may depend on the investigation, medical records and any autopsy or toxicology findings.
Authorities did not provide information about whether Stanfield had recently experienced medical problems or received treatment while in custody.
No obvious signs of trauma or other details about the condition in which he was found were included in the public statement.
KBI Opens Independent Investigation
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was notified and sent personnel to investigate the in-custody death.
Riley County officials said the notification was made in accordance with police department policy and state law.
The KBI generally investigates deaths occurring inside Kansas prisons and county jails. Exceptions may apply when an inmate was receiving regular care from a physician or when an autopsy determines that the death resulted from natural causes.
An outside investigation provides an independent review of the circumstances surrounding a death in custody.
Investigators Expected To Review Evidence
Investigators may examine jail records, medical information, surveillance footage and the timeline of staff contact with Stanfield before he was found.
They may also interview corrections officers, medical personnel and anyone else who could provide information about his condition.
Officials have not said when Stanfield was last seen responsive, whether he was alone in the cell or how long the investigation may take.
The KBI has not released preliminary findings beyond the statement that criminal conduct does not currently appear to have occurred.
Stanfield Had Recently Been Booked
Public arrest information shows Stanfield had recently been held following an incident reported June 20 in downtown Manhattan.
He had been arrested on allegations that included aggravated assault, criminal threat, disorderly conduct and criminal deprivation of property. He had been issued a combined bond of $29,000.
Those allegations had not been resolved in court, and Stanfield remained presumed innocent of the charges against him.
His detention history does not establish the cause or circumstances of his death.
Family Has Been Notified
Authorities confirmed that Stanfield’s next of kin had been notified before his identity was released publicly.
No additional information was provided about his family or funeral arrangements.
Officials have not indicated when further findings will become available. In-custody death investigations can remain open while investigators await medical testing and complete interviews.
The initial account was based on information released by the Riley County Police Department. Officials said no additional details were immediately available.
Michael Lee Stanfield died Thursday night after corrections officers found him unresponsive in a Riley County Jail cell. EMS personnel attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m.
Officials currently report no indication of criminal activity, although the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the death under state law and department policy.