UPDATE: Detectives assigned to the Force Investigations Unit are working with officials at the St. Louis City Justice Center to obtain all surveillance video related to the in-custody death.
During all Force investigations, SLMPD detectives offer an opportunity for the involved family to see the video obtained of the incident. FIU detectives will work with the family of Mr. Hayes to coordinate a viewing of jail surveillance footage after SLMPD has obtained all video. We expect the viewing of the video to occur in the near future.
Around 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, July 19th, the Force Investigations Unit was notified by the St. Louis City Justice Center of an in-custody death.
A preliminary investigation revealed that around 8:20 p.m., a physical altercation had occurred between two detainees inside a cell.
After the altercation, Corrections staff reported that the detainee, 31-year-old Samuel Hayes Junior, failed to comply with verbal commands following the altercation and was then placed in a restraint chair.
Hayes was found unresponsive around 10:00 p.m. and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His next of kin has been notified.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
SLMPD’s Force Investigations Unit is responsible for investigating all in-custody deaths and deadly force incidents involving law enforcement that occur within the City of St. Louis. Detectives will conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation and prepare a full report.
