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Inmate dies at La Plata County Jail

Daniel Foard reportedly suffered a ruptured ulcer; CBI is investigating
An inmate at the La Plata County Jail was found dead Wednesday. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating. (Durango Herald file)

A 32-year-old inmate at the La Plata County Jail died while in custody earlier this week, according to a news release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

The death was reported shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the jail, according to the release.

The inmate was identified as Daniel John Foard, who had been staying at the jail since Aug. 11 on warrants, failure to appear and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, according to a jail supervisor.

La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said preliminary autopsy results indicate Foard had a ruptured ulcer that bled. She said toxicology reports are pending. Once she has those reports, she will declare a formal cause of death.

The CBI, which is investigating the case, did not provide any additional information and did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

shane@durangoherald.com



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