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Police: Inmate’s Death Was of Natural Causes

Arlington County JailPolice have completed their investigation of the death of an inmate at the Arlington County jail.

Anthony Gordon was found unconscious in his cell at the detention facility in Courthouse on Aug. 22. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead after arriving at Virginia Hospital Center.

In a press release (below), police say they determined that Gordon had “an extensive history of medical issues” and died of “natural causes.”

Arlington police are still investigating the death of 53-year-old Edward Straughn — who was found unresponsive in his cell at the jail earlier this month.

The investigation of the in-custody death of 48 year-old Anthony Gordon on August 22, 2015, by the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit has concluded. In conjunction with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it has been determined that Gordon died of natural causes due to an extensive history of medical issues.

Deputies with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office found Gordon unconscious in a medical unit cell in the early morning hours of August 22, 2015. Resuscitation efforts were performed by deputies and nurses on scene prior to Gordon being transported to Virginia Hospital Center where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:41 a.m.

Gordon was convicted of a third offense of assault and battery of a family member and was sentenced to five years.

This incident marked the first in-custody death since February 2013. It was determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the 2013 incident that the inmate had died of natural causes.