Coroners are waiting on the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death of a Myrtle Beach man who died at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Tuesday.
An officer at the jail found 39-year-old Byron Joseph Bland unresponsive in a cell around 3:30 p.m. and alerted medical personnel, who initiated CPR and called EMS, according to a release from Wayne Owens, the director of detention at J. Reuben Long. County medics responded to the jail and determined the coroner’s office needed to be notified, the release stated.
Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler said that Bland was pronounced dead at the jail at 4:10 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted Wednesday at Grand Strand Medical Center, according to Owens’ release.
Bland was arrested Monday under charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin, neglect of a vulnerable adult and two counts of manufacturing, possessing and/or distributing a controlled substance. He was transported from the Myrtle Beach Jail to county lock-up the same day.
Fowler says it may take 90-120 days to receive the autopsy report.
“No foul play is suspected at this time,” he said.
The State Law Enforcement Division and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
In accordance with Detention Center protocol regarding in-custody inmate deaths, SLED was contacted, responded to the jail and is conducting an inquiry into the incident, Owens’ release stated.
Emily Weaver: 843-444-1722, @TSNEmily
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