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Authorities investigating 4 recent inmate deaths in Kansas

Jail
Posted at 11:16 AM, Apr 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-30 12:16:13-04

TOPEKA, Kan. — Law enforcement officials are investigating whether illegal drugs played a role in four recent inmate deaths at three state correctional facilities.

Kansas Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz said Tuesday that officials believe contraband drugs could be involved in the inmates' deaths, but they are not sure what substances night be involved. He says they are still awaiting autopsy and lab results.

Four inmates have died since Friday: two from the Hutchinson Correction facility, one from the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility and one from the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

The Kansas Department of Corrections says deaths are under investigation by the department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.