Inmate death at the Mesa County Jail

10/12/20 Update: The Mesa County Coroner's Office has completed additional testing and released the following statement:

"This is a follow-up media release regarding the death of Andre Steele, a 33-year-old male resident of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mr. Steele was the male that died in the jail on August 8, 2020. The cause of death was cardiac hypertrophy and the manner is natural. His toxicology came back with his medications within therapeutic ranges and negative for any illicit drugs.

The law enforcement agency overseeing this investigation is the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Please contact them for any further details regarding this case."

----------------

8/10/20 Update: The Mesa County Coroner's Office released the following statement:

"The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Andre Steele, a 33-year-old male resident of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mr. Steele was the male that died in the jail on August 8, 2020. The cause and the manner of death is pending for additional testing and actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

The law enforcement agency overseeing this investigation is the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Please contact them for any further details regarding this case."

Previous:

MESA COUNTY, Colo: On the morning of 08/08/20, a 33-year-old male, who was being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on felony charges relating to domestic violence, was found unresponsive by his cellmates. Deputies and medical staff immediately attempted life-saving measures while the Grand Junction Fire Department responded to the Detention Facility. The inmate was declared deceased at the scene. The inmate was not on a suicide watch. The case is being investigated by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office and the Mesa County Coroner. Next of kin has been notified. The Coroner’s Office will release the inmate’s name as well as the cause and manner of death.