MONTROSE, Colo.—An inmate has been found dead in the Montrose County jail, but the sheriff says no foul play is suspected.
Authorities say 45-year-old Gerardo Velazquez of Montrose was found face down on Saturday and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The coroner said initial autopsy results indicate he died of natural causes.
Velazquez was arrested Friday on suspicion of harassment and other violations.
He was on a mental health hold but Sheriff Rick Dunlap said Tuesday his blood alcohol was too high for mental health staffers to evaluate him.
Dunlap says Velazaquez was checked every 15 minutes until 3:15 p.m. Saturday, when his blood alcohol declined enough that officials felt they could check him less often.
Dunlap says Velazaquez was found dead during a routine check at 4:10 p.m.
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Information from: The Montrose Daily Press,
