MCPHERSON -- The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is being brought in to investigate the death of an inmate in the McPherson County Jail.
According to information from Sheriff Jerry P. Montagne, Kevin Brittingham, 55, of Newton, was arrested on a requested charge of domestic battery and booked into the McPherson County Jail at approximately 2:15 p.m. Thursday. He was placed in a booking holding cell.
At approximately 3:35 p.m., a McPherson County correctional officer discovered Brittingham unresponsive in the booking cell.
According to Montagne, life-saving measures were attempted, including administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an automated external defibrillator. Additionally, McPherson Fire Department and EMS personnel responded to the jail and continued attempting to resuscitate Brittingham. Despite those efforts, Brittingham was pronounced dead at approximately 4:05 p.m., Montagne reported.
Per state statute, the McPherson County Sheriff's Office has requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) look into the matter. 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.
Montagne noted that Brittingham's injuries appear to have been self-inflicted. An autopsy will be conducted and the investigation is ongoing.