Clearwater Inmate’s Death Under Investigation

CLEARWATER, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 60-year-old inmate who died Monday. Although Clearwater resident Robert John George’s death does not appear suspicious in nature, authorities say a final determination will be made by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the first signs of a problem occurred on Friday, April 7, when George “appeared to have a medical episode, which caused him to stumble and fall while standing in an open waiting area at the Pinellas County Jail.”

Authorities say detention and medical staff attended to George following his fall. He was “conscious when he was transported to Northside Hospital,” a Tuesday email from the sheriff’s office said. At the hospital, George’s condition worsened, authorities say. He was pronounced dead at 10:34 a.m. Monday.

“Detectives say there were no obvious signs of injuries on the inmate’s person and no incidents of confrontation or use of force,” the email noted.

George was brought into custody shortly before the medical episode on a charge of DUI with property damage, the agency’s email said.

It is unclear how long it will take for the medical examiner to file an autopsy report.

No further information is available at this time.

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