Inmate Death at DeKalb County Jail this morning

At approximately 1:48 this morning (2/8/16) inmate Brandon A. Washington, 28, of Rochelle, Illinois became sick in his cell at the DeKalb County Jail.

Deputies responded to the area upon hearing banging on cell bars by other inmates. Upon removing Mr. Washington from his cell he became unresponsive with labored and very shallow breath and eventually needed CPR performed by deputies. Sycamore ambulance arrived at approximately 2:04am. Mr. Washington was transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:34am by hospital staff.

Mr. Washington came to the DeKalb County Jail from the Department of Corrections on November 3rd, 2015, when he was remanded here by the courts in relative to his previous conviction for attempted first degree murder (2009).

The preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Washington , along with his cell mate Christopher Gerken, 26, of Sycamore ingested homemade alcohol commonly referred to as “hooch,” in addition drugs may have also been involved but will not be known until the results of the Coroner’s autopsy, which is scheduled for tomorrow, and the lab results which will be available several days after the autopsy.

Christopher Gerken was in the DeKalb County Jail since 10/7/15 because he was on a Department of Corrections hold and first degree murder charge by the DeKalb Police Department.

Mr. Gerken is currently at Kishwaukee Community Hospital. He was initially taken to Kishwaukee Hospital at approximately 2:42am where he refused treatment. He was brought back to jail, and kept under observation and when his symptoms of vomiting reoccurred, he was returned to the hospital by ambulance at 6:47am and has been admitted.

Coroner Dennis Miller and Chief Deputy Andy Sullivan met with family members earlier this morning.

Investigation is continuing into the cause and manner of death of Mr. Washington. The Illinois State Police and DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller are conducting the investigations with the cooperation of the Sheriff’s Office. In addition to the Coroner and Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Corrections has been notified and is conducting a review regarding the death of Mr. Washington. The State Police investigative report will be presented to the DeKalb County State’s Attorney.