Man dies at Whitley County Detention Center

A Whitley County Detention Center inmate died shortly before noon today, but foul play is not suspected.

Doctors in Baptist Regional Medical Center’s emergency room pronounced James Sowders, 55, of Corbin, dead at 11:10 a.m., said Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley.

"The cause of death is still pending further investigation, but it appears at this point to be natural causes. He does have a pre-existing medical condition," Croley said. "He was being treated and he was under a physicians care for that."
State medical examiners are autopsying Sowders’ body today in Frankfort.

Sowders had been lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center for 11 days.

Whitley County Jailer Ken Mobley said Sowders was in jail serving a sentence for driving on a DUI suspended license, DUI, no insurance, and non-payment of fines.

"He was on heart medication and had a heart attack two years ago. He cut up with the nurse yesterday and was fine," Mobley said.

He said guards were passing out medications shortly after 8 a.m. and were on their way to give Sowders his medication when they learned he was unresponsive.

Guards performed CPR until Whitley County EMS arrived about 8:15 a.m., Mobley said.

Whitley County EMS transported Sowders to Jellico Community Hospital.

"They attempted to fly him to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, but he died in route in the air so they had to fly to the nearest facility and they were over Whitley County," Croley said.