Press release from Buncombe County:
Robert Charles Austin, a detainee at the Buncombe County Detention Facility, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 23 by a detention officer who was conducting rounds. After receiving medical care from detention officers, medical staff at the Detention Facility, and EMS, Mr. Austin was pronounced deceased at the Detention Facility by Buncombe County EMS. Mr. Austin had been in custody at the Detention Facility since Aug. 21, 2019, and was 68 years old at the time of his passing.
Sheriff Miller has called Mr. Austin’s next of kin to notify them of his passing and to offer his condolences to the family.
The SBI and Buncombe County District Attorney have been notified, and the SBI will conduct an independent investigation as is standard practice.
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