DeKalb County Jail inmate death: 73-year-old man dies in custody
DeKalb County Jail
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Jail officials and the medical examiner are investigating the death of a 73-year-old man who suffered a sudden medical emergency inside the DeKalb County Jail in Decatur on Friday.
What we know:
Jail medical personnel and emergency medical services administered immediate aid to John Parazzo after finding him unresponsive in his housing unit, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Despite life-saving efforts, responders pronounced the 73-year-old man dead.
Officials said the incident appears to be a sudden and unanticipated medical emergency, and investigators do not suspect foul play. Internal investigators and the Medical Examiner's Office are conducting reviews into the death.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not yet determined the official cause of death for Parazzo. The sheriff's office has not released further details regarding his specific medical history or why he was in custody.
What they're saying:
"We are committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our Sheriff's Office operations. Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Parazzo's family," DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox said. Agency officials noted they will have no additional comments at this time.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, who provided an official media advisory detailing the custody death.