MCPHERSON — McPherson County Sheriff Jerry Montagne reported Friday that an inmate in the county's custody died Thursday at the jail.
On Thursday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Kevin Brittingham, 55 of Newton was arrested for domestic battery and booked into the jail. During the booking process, he was placed in a holding cell.
At approximately 3:35 p.m. Thursday, a McPherson County Correctional Officer discovered Brittingham unresponsive in his booking cell. Life-saving measures were attempted, including CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator.
McPherson Fire and McPherson EMS responded to the jail and continued attempts to resuscitate Brittingham. Brittingham was pronounced dead at approximately 4:05 p.m.
The McPherson County Sheriff's Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigate, as is required by state statute. The KBI investigates all deaths of individuals in the custody of a Kansas jail or prison, unless the inmate is being regularly attended by a physician.
Brittingham's injuries appear to have been self-inflicted. An autopsy will be conducted. The investigation continues.