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2 Duval County inmates die while in JSO custody

In-custody deaths in 2023 total 14 inmates

Robert Shaffer (L) and Walter Matthews (R) died while in-custody at the Duval County Jail, according to JSO. (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported two inmate deaths at the Duval County Jail within the past week, bringing the in-custody death total to over 10 inmates this year.

According to JSO, 62-year-old Robert Shaffer died Sunday, four days after he was arrested. Police said correction officers found him in acute distress. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

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RELATED: Lawmakers ask DOJ to investigate after 12 deaths at Duval County jail this year

JSO said Shaffer possibly had a medical episode since detectives had a documented medical condition before his arrest. His cause of death is unknown,

On Friday, JSO said 49-year-old Walter Matthews, who was arrested in April, died after he was hospitalized since July for pre-existing medical issues. He died a natural death from complications of AIDS, according to the medical examiner’s office.

The two deaths bring Jacksonville’s total in-custody deaths in 2023 to 14 inmates.


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I-TEAM and general assignment reporter

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