Inmate found hanging in Hawkins County Jail, investigation underway

An investigation is underway at the Hawkins County Jail after an inmate was found hanging in his cell.

Sheriff Ronnie Lawson says last Wednesday, inmates found Wesley Thomas, 38, unresponsive in the cell that he was housed alone in. Medical staff attempted CPR on Thomas, and he was transported to the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

An autopsy is being performed and Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office detectives are looking into the incident.