Sheriff Edwards: Inmate deaths at Cascade County jail appear to be from suicide, natural causes

Great Falls Tribune

Two men have been charged with possession of a weapon while incarcerated at the Cascade County Detention Center.

Two inmates died Saturday at the Cascade County Detention Center, Sheriff Bob Edwards said in a press release Monday.

Neither death appears suspicious at this time.

"One of the deaths is consistent with suicide and the other appears to be from natural causes," Edwards wrote.

Edwards told the Tribune he would release the names at a later date after county officials are authorized by the investigating agencies, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and Fergus County Coroner's Office, to do so.

The two deaths occurred in separate incidents about four hours apart in the early morning hours of March 10, according to the release.

Both inmates were pronounced dead at Benefis.

State officials are handling the investigation into the deaths. Fergus County Coroner Dick Brown is handling the coroner duties, according to the release. A coroner's inquest is set to take place, as required by state law.