A Pima County jail inmate died while undergoing surgery. Here’s what we know

October 19

A jail inmate died Friday afternoon while being operated on in Pima County.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said James Waddell, 59, was undergoing surgery at a Pima County hospital when he suffered complications and was pronounced dead following unsuccessful attempts to save his life by medical staff.

Homicide detectives with the sheriff’s office began an investigation and concluded Waddell had been jailed at the Pima County Adult Detention Center since June 4, the agency said. Waddell had been hospitalized since Oct. 2, the sheriff’s office added.

“At this time, there are no suspicious circumstances noted and the investigation into this matter is still ongoing,” read a Saturday morning statement from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond on Saturday to inquiries from The Arizona Republic regarding the medical issue that led to Waddle’s hospitalization, the location of the hospital, the surgery he underwent, or whether an autopsy would be conducted. The agency also did not provide information on the suspected criminal offense for which Waddle was being held.

Between 2022 and September 2023, Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner records showed 39 people died inside the jail or shortly after being released, The Republic reported in February.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Death of jail inmate during surgery prompts Pima County investigation

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