Authorities reported that a Mississippi man, who faced two arrests within a month, was initially detained while trying to rescue a friend driving under the influence, and then was arrested again for his own DUI offenses.
Felix Marquez Bartolo was discovered deceased in his prison cell at 5:30 PM on Saturday, as confirmed by Police Chief Maggie Dennis Borges in a statement.
Bartolo was alone in his cell at the time, and police indicated that emergency procedures were “suddenly followed” following his death.
There was no indication of foul play, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called to look into the situation.
This tragic incident occurred just two days after Bartolo’s latest arrest, where he faced multiple charges including DUI, not obeying traffic signals, and seat belt violations, among others.
Authorities noted he was driving without a valid license or proof of insurance.
Earlier, on August 22, Bartolo had reportedly shown up at the Maggie Police Station intoxicated to post bail for friends arrested the prior night. He was then arrested for public intoxication.
The mug shots from his arrests show him wearing the same button-up shirt, which adds a slightly eerie twist to the situation.
The announcement of his death sparked various reactions online, with many expressing concern for his well-being during his detention. Comments ranged from sympathy for Bartolo to questions about the risks of leaving individuals with alcohol issues alone in cells.
As of now, representatives from the Maggie Police Department had not responded to inquiries about the case.
