The investigation of the in-custody death of 53-year-old Edward Straughn on Oct. 10, by the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit has concluded. In conjunction with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it has been determined that Straughn died of natural causes due to an extensive history of medical issues.
Deputies with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office found Straughn unresponsive in a medical unit cell at approximately 6:55 a.m. on Oct. 10. Resuscitation efforts were performed by deputies and nurses on scene prior to Straughn being transported to Virginia Hospital Center where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:38 a.m.
Straughn was arrested on Oct. 9 for drunk in public and it was determined at that time he had failed to arrive for weekend detention. He was placed in jail by the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident marked the second in-custody death in 2015. It was determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the first incident that the inmate had also died of natural causes.