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Hampton Roads Inmate Death Prompts Investigation

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - Jail officials in Portsmouth are investigating the death of inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell.

The Hampton Roads Regional Jail says inmate Jakim Funderburk was found in his cell with a bedsheet tied around his neck hanging from the top bunk.

Guards doing a security check found Funderburk at 12:30 a.m. Sunday and administered CPR until paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead an hour later.

Portsmouth police are investigating, along with jail officials.

Funderburk had been in jail since December on charges including abduction, malicious assault and armed burglary.

The Justice Department announced in December that it is investigating the jail for its treatment of mentally ill inmates.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.