Inmate death under investigation

Inmate death under investigation

February 16, 2017

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating the apparent suicide of an inmate at Valdosta State Prison. At approximately 2:57 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017, inmate Thomas Willis was found unresponsive in his cell. CPR was administered and inmate Willis was taken to medical where he was pronounced dead.

The body of inmate Willis was transported to a state crime lab for an autopsy. The incident is under investigation and the cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Inmate Willis was 41 years old and convicted of Terrorist Threats & Acts in November 2013 in Pickens County. His maximum possible release date was August 22, 2019.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov