Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide
Department of Detention and Corrections
-Detention Investigation Unit (DIU)

Joseph Ignus Stephen (Deceased Inmate)
DOB: 03/05/1989
Address: Pinellas County Jail -14400 49^th Street North, Clearwater

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating the death of an inmate at the Pinellas County Jail.

When:
The inmate was found unresponsive at about 3:30 a.m. on December 23, 2015.

Where:
The inmate was found unresponsive in his housing area located in the South Division of the jail.

Why/How:
According to investigators, 26-year-old inmate Joseph Ignus Stephen was found unresponsive in his portable bunk at about 3:30 a.m. as breakfast trays were being served.

Detectives say other inmates attempted to wake Stephen up and when they did not get a response, they quickly notified the detention staff.

Stephen was transported to Northside Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 4:34 a.m. on December 23, 2015.

Detectives say there were no obvious signs of injuries on the inmate's person and the death does not appear to be suspicious in nature. According to investigators, Stephen has a documented medical history with the jail.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

The investigation continues.