Lebanon Man Dies At Franklin County Jail

A Lebanon man died Saturday at the Franklin County Adult Detention Center, a little more than 30 minutes after he was found unresponsive.

According to Sheriff Steven Pelton, Christopher S. Cox, 43, was pronounced deceased after paramedics at the jail facility were unable to revive him.

Cox was found unresponsive at around 12:25 p.m. by a deputy passing out lunch.

On-duty nurses began CPR. Union Ambulance arrived and continued efforts to resuscitate, but Cox died at 1:02 p.m.

Cox had been in a vehicle accident prior to being taken into custody by another jurisdiction.

He was at the jail on a 24-hour hold for driving while intoxicated.

Prior to his booking, Cox was taken to Mercy Hospital where he was fit for confinement.

Pelton said there is nothing obvious as to the cause of death.

Cox's body was taken to the St. Louis County Medical Examiner's Office.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Cox's family," Pelton said.