Inmate dies at Mason County Jail.

Inmate dies at Mason County Jail.

LUDINGTON — A 59-year-old male inmate at the Mason County Jail was found unresponsive in his cell during a cell check/meal service Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 5 p.m. and was later pronounced dead, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

Corrections deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office immediately started life saving measures on Crandal Lee Smith, said Sheriff Cole. Life EMS and the Ludington Fire Department responded to the jail.

“Despite lifesaving efforts, the subject was pronounced dead,” said Sheriff Cole.

“Mr. Smith had been housed in the Mason County Jail March 4, 2022 on three drug-related charges — two related to drug use/meth, and one for delivery of meth. Mr. Smith had not pled guilty; nor was convicted on any charges; nor had he been sentenced on any of these charges.

“Mr. Smith’s remains were transported to WMED (Western Michigan University School of Medicine) in Kalamazoo where an autopsy was performed (Wednesday) Oct. 12, 2022. Although a final autopsy report is pending a preliminary investigation by WMED and MCSO, detectives have found no foul play or intentional/self-inflicted actions.”

The autopsy report, with completed toxicology, will be sent to the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association’s MISSION (internal affairs) team for review and final disposition, said Cole.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454.

This story is copyrighted © 2022, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.