Gary Blair
Gary Blair, 43, whom his family calls Bubba, was held at the Chesterfield County Detention Center in South Carolina. A judge had found him mentally incompetent but likely to recover and ordered him to a treatment facility in June, but the sheriff's office said a month-long waitlist kept him at the jail. Detention staff found him dead in his cell on July 24, 2026, where he was housed alone, and the sheriff's office notified the State Law Enforcement Division, which is investigating. The county coroner ruled the manner of death a homicide, which the outlet noted is a medical determination rather than a criminal charge, and the sheriff's office says six detention staff, including the facility director, have been fired in connection with his death. His family's attorney said they want full accountability and that Blair deserved dignity and care, and no criminal charges have been announced.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (neglect alleged). The Chesterfield County coroner ruled the manner of death a homicide, and the sheriff says Gary was found incompetent and ordered to a treatment facility in June, but a month-long waitlist kept him at the jail.
Reported by: Chesterfield County coroner (medical examiner or coroner).
Sources (9)
- SLED investigating inmate death at Chesterfield Co. jail
- SLED investigates death of inmate at Chesterfield County Detention Center
- Chesterfield County Detention Center director removed amid in-custody death investigation
- Six South Carolina detention center employees fired after inmate found dead in cell
- 5 officers, director fired from Chesterfield County Detention Center after inmate’s death, sheriff says
- 6 fired following death of inmate at Chesterfield County Detention Center: What we know
- Four officers terminated following investigation into the in-custody death of a Chesterfield County inmate
- 4 more detention officers fired after death of Chesterfield County inmate
- 6 Chesterfield Co. detention employees fired amid investigation into inmate's death