News Summary
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has initiated an investigation into the death of a 45-year-old man at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Discovered hanging in his cell, this tragic incident adds to ongoing concerns regarding detainee safety at the facility, which has reported multiple deaths in recent years. Investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and internal reviews by the Sheriff’s Office aim to uncover the circumstances surrounding this and other related fatalities.
Investigation Following Tragic Death of Detainee in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg, a city steeped in history and community spirit, is currently grappling with a somber situation. The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has launched an investigation after the untimely death of a 45-year-old man at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. This unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday night when the detainee was found hanging in his cell. While the autopsy report and additional tests are still pending, officials have indicated that there is no evidence to suggest that anyone else was involved in the tragic death at this time.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is also looking into the matter, while the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has initiated its own internal investigation. This incident isn’t isolated; it follows a concerning trend of multiple detainee deaths at the detention center in recent years, raising questions about safety and care in the facility.
A History of Concerns
Spartanburg County Detention Center has faced scrutiny due to a spate of detainee deaths. Data reveals that between 2015 and 2021, the facility recorded the highest inmate death count in South Carolina, totaling 18 fatalities. Furthermore, reports from the Coroner’s Office highlight five inmate deaths in custody just in 2022 alone. These deaths have been primarily attributed to medical illnesses, suicides, drug overdoses, and violence.
The frequency of these incidents is alarming, as there has been at least one inmate death reported each year since 2015. The ongoing investigations and the serious nature of these fatalities have understandably sparked concerns among the local community and families of detainees.
Legal Actions and Allegations
In a separate but equally troubling affair, another case has emerged involving the estate of a detainee named Ashley Lee Apple, who died in April 2024. The estate has filed a notice of intent to sue the sheriff’s office, alleging medical malpractice. The claims center around the assertion that Apple, who was 30 years old at the time of her incarceration, deteriorated significantly due to a lack of medical care. She had been admitted to the facility on April 8 and, despite showing alarming symptoms, it is alleged that staff failed to provide adequate medical observation.
Tragically, Apple was found unresponsive on April 12, and later pronounced dead that same day, with the cause of death determined to be acute peritonitis resulting from a perforated ulcer. The estate’s legal notice alleges several failures in the medical care provided during her time in custody, adding weight to the ongoing conversation about the adequacy of healthcare in detention facilities.
A Community Concern
In light of these distressing events, family members of deceased detainees have expressed their outrage and concern, rallying for greater transparency and accountability in the treatment of inmates at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. They are calling for improvements that will hopefully prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.
As investigations from various authorities continue, the community remains on edge, hoping for answers and change. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has refrained from commenting on ongoing litigation and investigations, leaving many questions unanswered. The situation exemplifies the urgent need for systemic reform in correctional facilities, not just in Spartanburg, but across the nation.
As more information surfaces regarding these investigations, the community will be keenly watching, wishing for a time when such tragedies are no longer part of the conversation surrounding justice and care in the penal system.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Coroner Investigating Death in Spartanburg County Jail
- Google Search: Spartanburg County Detention Center deaths
- Post and Courier: Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Inmate Death
- Wikipedia: Inmate Death in Custody
- WSPA: Spartanburg Co. Inmate Dies in Hospital
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Prison
- GoUpstate: Inmate Deaths Reported
- Google News: Spartanburg County inmate deaths
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
