News

Buncombe County jail inmate dies

Buncombe County jail inmate dies

Photo: Saga Communications/828newsNOW


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A detainee at the Buncombe County Detention Facility died Saturday night after experiencing a medical emergency, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

The detainee, identified as Grey Hester, was found unresponsive in his cell shortly after 8 p.m. during a routine cell inspection by detention staff, authorities said. Members of the facility’s medical team immediately began lifesaving measures until emergency medical services arrived.

Hester was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Office of the North Carolina State Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. Officials said the death is believed to be because of a medical condition, though the cause has not yet been confirmed.

Hester was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility on Jan. 8 and was scheduled to return to federal custody following a trial on state charges, according to the sheriff’s office.

In accordance with protocol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been notified and will investigate the death. The District Attorney’s Office and federal officials have also been notified.

“We send our prayers and condolences to Grey Hester’s family and loved ones,” Sheriff Quentin Miller said in a statement. “His family has been notified of his passing, and we have notified all of the appropriate parties.”

Recent Headlines

15 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald's is embracing the trend this Valentine's Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount's Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 McDonald's gift card to buy McNuggets.

15 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Lindsey Vonn is ‘confident’ she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee

Lindsey Vonn has done this before. And succeeded. The 41-year-old American skiing standout is "confident" she can compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite a torn ACL from a crash four days ago.

22 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Speedskater Erin Jackson, bobsledder Frank Del Duca picked as US flagbearers for Winter Olympics

Speedskater Erin Jackson already has made history, as the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Bobsledder Frank Del Duca is a sergeant in the Army, hailing from a family with deep Italian roots. They might be the perfect pair to lead the U.S. into the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.