Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates death at Boone County Jail

COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Drug and Crime Enforcement Division confirmed Monday that investigators are investigating the death of an Ashland man Friday at the Boone County Jail.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office announced in a press release that 43-year-old William Gipson of Ashland died in the Boone County Detention Center.

A Highway Patrol spokesman confirmed to ABC 17 on Monday that investigators are investigating at the request of the sheriff's office.

“When the investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded to the Boone County District Attorney's Office for review,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “This investigation is ongoing and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”

The spokesman also confirmed that the autopsy will be completed within a few days.

According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, Gipson was arrested by Ashland police and taken to jail at 3:09 p.m. Friday. Jail staff attempted to take Gipson to jail, but according to the statement, Gipson “was uncooperative and was physically restrained.”

According to online incident logs, emergency responders were called to the Boone County Jail for medical attention at 6:42 p.m.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office said in its statement that officers who placed the handcuffs noticed Gipson showing signs of medical problems around 6:34 p.m. on Friday.

“Boone County Jail staff immediately responded to Mr. Gipson to assist him and called medical personnel to assist,” the Boone County Sheriff's Office said in the statement. “Mr. Gipson was then unresponsive and was resuscitated by Boone County Jail staff and medical personnel. Unfortunately, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful for Mr. Gipson and he passed away.”

ABC 17 News has reached out to the sheriff's office for more information on the timeline of events.