LAURINBURG – The Scotland County Detention Center has been cleared in an investigation into the death of an inmate in January.
The State Bureau of Investigation completed a probe this week into the death of Walter Cason Wilson and declared that he died of natural causes.
“The medical examiner in [the] case determined Mr. Wilson died from natural causes, and the District Attorney’s office had cleared the sheriff’s office of any criminal wrong doing in the investigation regarding Walter Carson Wilson,” said Patty McQuillan public information officer with the SBI.
Wilson, 22, of Laurinburg, was arrested on Dec. 31, 2016 by the Laurinburg Police Department on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of second-degree trespassing.
“He missed court because he was in the hospital in Duke,” Scotland County Sheriff Ralph Kersey said. “His father called probation about him being in the hospital. He was pretty sick.”
Kersey said Wilson appeared to be well during booking, but at some point became ill and was seen by the nurse on duty.
“She contacted his parents, and they brought his medication prescribed by Duke,” Kersey said. “He was found deceased at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Jan. 1, and protocol was to contact the SBI.”
Kersey said Wilson was monitored closely after his visit to the nurse and he did not complain of any further symptoms.
The Scotland County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the SBI on Monday that Wilson’s death was determined to be natural causes.