Another inmate has died in the Ross County Jail.
William “Bill” Harper, 52, Chillicothe was pronounced dead Saturday after being found lifeless on the floor of his cell. He was serving a five day sentence for theft from Chillicothe Wal-Mart and was due to get out the following day.
Harper’s family said they found out through the Guardian of the death of an unidentified inmate and put two-and-two together when his photo on the jail’s list of currently incarcerated inmates said “deceased.”
“He was dead on the floor in the jail,” said Harper’s brother. “The only way we found out he was dead was his jail photo; they did not call any family members.”
His sister, Marjorie Ecton, thanked the Guardian for their live coverage of EMS responding to the jail.
“Thanks to your video William Harper — my brother — will have a voice and justice,” she said.
Harper’s brother said he will be in touch with the coroner this week to get more information surrounding his brother’s death. The Ross County Sheriff’s office has not released information about the incident.
Harper is one of several people to die in the county jail this year. One such person was Scott Coldren, 20, who passed away in February. Coldren’s mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sheriff George Lavender in federal court, which is set for a hearing this week.
