BEATRICE - Gage County Sheriff's officials are reporting the death of an inmate who was being held in the county detention center.

Thursday, December 31, at about 10:57 a.m., an inmate in the Gage County Detention Center was found in his cell and was unresponsive. Corrections officers and jail medical staff immediately began CPR and requested an EMS crew from Beatrice Fire and Rescue.

Beatrice Fire and Rescue personnel arrived and continued CPR on the inmate and then transported him to Beatrice Community Hospital.  Hospital staff at the Beatrice Community Hospital Emergency Department continued CPR, but the inmate was declared dead at 12:18 pm.  The name of the prisoner has not been released, pending notification of relatives.

The Nebraska State Patrol will conduct an investigation, required by state law when someone dies in custody of law enforcement. An autopsy has been scheduled. Authorities say foul play is not suspected.