Contact: Sgt. Joy Matthews
Email: joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov
Supervisor Approval: Chief Deputy Troy Woodwyk
Case Number: 21-143273
Incident Type: Inmate Death

UPDATE on 09/17/2021 at 3:00 PM: The inmate has been identified as Scott Gildner (40). An autopsy was completed on 09/15/2021 by the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office, who confirmed that there were no physical signs of injury. Toxicology results are still pending.

Gildner had been incarcerated at the Kent County Correctional Facility since 06/17/2021. He was awaiting trial through the 17th Circuit Court for Unlawful Driving Away of a Motor Vehicle with a $5,000.00 10% bond and Assault a Prison Employee with a $15,000.00 cash/surety bond.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 15, 2021) – The Kent County Sheriff's Office is investigating an inmate's death at the Kent County Correctional Facility.

On 09/15/2021 at 3:30 AM, deputies from the Kent County Sheriff's Office responded to a medical emergency inside the correctional facility. An inmate was found unresponsive during a scheduled cell check. A call for assistance was made by the officers who discovered the inmate. Officers immediately initiated life-saving efforts and continued until LIFE EMS arrived at the correctional facility. The inmate was pronounced deceased at 4:17 AM.

The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy will be completed by the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office. The inmate's name is being withheld until family has been notified.

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