Grants Pass, OR – An investigation is underway after a 50-year-old man died while in custody at the Josephine County Jail late Wednesday night, according to officials.
According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, a corrections deputy discovered the man—identified as Nathan Adams—unresponsive during routine cell checks at approximately 11:45 p.m. on December 10, 2025. Deputies immediately began life-saving measures with assistance from jail staff until American Medical Response (AMR) personnel arrived.
AMR continued attempts to revive the man, but Adams was pronounced deceased a short time later. Officials confirmed that next of kin has been notified.
Per protocol, the Oregon State Police were contacted to conduct an outside investigation into the in-custody death. According to the sheriff’s office, preliminary indicators do not suggest foul play, though the cause of death has not yet been publicly released.
Deputies did not disclose how long Adams had been housed at the facility, nor whether he had reported any medical issues prior to the incident. Additional details are expected as Oregon State Police complete their review and forward findings to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.
In-custody deaths require automatic outside review under Oregon standards, a process designed to ensure transparency and provide independent oversight.
No further information was available as of Thursday afternoon.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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