AUGUSTA, Maine — Authorities at the Kennebec County Jail are investigating the sudden death of a 22-year-old inmate.
Sheriff Randall Liberty said Nicholas Michael Powell was found dead in his cell just before 5 a.m. Tuesday. An autopsy is scheduled.
Liberty told the Kennebec Journal that Powell appeared to be sleeping during the 4 a.m. check. When his cell was unlocked at 4:50 a.m. so he could begin his work shift in the jail kitchen, he didn’t wake up.
Augusta Rescue was called to assist in resuscitation efforts.
Powell was serving a nine-month sentence for violating probation on a domestic violence assault conviction. He had come into the jail in Augusta in September.
Liberty says his family said he had a history of heart ailments.