Arkansas State Police are investigating the death of an inmate at the Varner Unit after he reported being attacked Thursday, Oct. 29, according to officials.
The inmate, a 32-year-old man, told correctional staff at about 4:30 p.m. that he was bleeding from a wound to his neck. He was taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff for treatment and died at about 5:45 p.m. from injuries sustained in the incident.
Investigation and forensic examination
Special agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are leading the inquiry. Officials have identified an inmate as a suspect, according to a release about the investigation. The suspect’s name and any potential charges were not included in the available information.
The deceased inmate’s body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. The laboratory is expected to determine the cause and manner of death as part of the investigation.
- The reported attack occurred Thursday at the Varner Unit.
- The inmate was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center before he died.
- Arkansas State Police special agents are conducting the investigation.
Inmate’s sentence
The inmate was serving an 84-month sentence connected to a 2024 aggravated-assault-on-a-family-member conviction in Nevada County. The available information identifies the incident as a correctional-facility death investigation and does not indicate that prosecutors have filed charges against the suspected inmate.
The investigation is active. Any criminal charges that may result would be separate from the determination of the cause and manner of death by the state crime laboratory. The suspected inmate is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
