EPHRATA, Wash. (13AUG2018) -- The man who died yesterday while in custody at the Grant County Jail has been identified as 34-year-old Derek A. Batton of Soap Lake.
Batton was booked into the jail on Friday around 11:35 p.m. He had been arrested earlier Friday by Soap Lake Police for three outstanding out of county warrants for failing appear for a DUI charge, third-degree driving while license suspended, and an ignition interlock violation.
Batton was found unresponsive in his bunk around 10:45 Sunday morning. Corrections deputies made life-saving attempts, but Batton was declared dead at the scene.
Per department policy, a detective is investigating Batton’s death. Foul play is currently not suspected.
Batton’s body is in the care of Coroner Craig Morrison whose staff conducted an autopsy this morning. The cause of death is pending the return of lab results.
Batton’s family has been notified.
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