Authorities Investigating Death at Hays State Prison

The Chattooga County Coroner’s office and the Georgia Department of Corrections are investigating an inmate death that occurred at Hays State Prison.

Late last week, Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney was called to Atrium Floyd Chattooga ER for a death investigation of an inmate from Hayes State Prison.

Upon further investigation it was determined that the inmate, 48 year old James Cannon, was found unresponsive and not breathing inside his prison cell.

Prison staff immediately began CPR and Atrium Floyd EMS was called.Mr. Cannon was treated and transported to Atrium Floyd Chattooga ER where he was pronounced deceased by the ER physician.

Special Agents from the Georgia Department of Corrections responded to the ER and the prison to investigate the incident. At this time it appears that there is a possibility of foul play involving the decedent’s cell mate.

Coroner McElhaney sent the decedent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s office for further examination.