An inmate at the Missoula County Jail was found dead on his bunk over the Fourth of July weekend.

The inmate was identified as 57 year-old Arthur Halks. On Sunday, detention officers were serving lunch when they found Halks unresponsive in his bunk, and began performing CPR. Medical staff and EMS personnel also assisted in life saving efforts. Halks was taken to St. Patrick Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Halks was arrested on May 3, and charged with assault with a weapon after allegedly strangling a female transient with his belt after waking him up as he was sleeping behind the Oxford Café and Saloon.

Detective Sergeant Eddie McLean with the Missoula Police Department said the county asked the Missoula Police to handle the investigation, and the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office to handle the coroner’s duties.

“Two detectives were called out to the hospital where the 57 year-old male was pronounced deceased,” McLean said. “With the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office running the detention facility, they’re requesting an outside agency to conduct the investigation. I does not appear that the death was the result of a suicide or any neglect by the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, but the medical examiners report will give us the final say.”

The investigation into Halks’ death continues.

 

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