(West Plains) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Howell County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the death of an inmate at the Howell County jail.
A report from the Highway Patrol states that around 7 AM Thursday, October 18, 40-year-old Eric Chappelle of West Plains was found dead by jail personnel. Chappelle had been incarcerated in the Howell County Jail since April 2011, on a first-degree murder charge and numerous lesser charges related to the death of an infant child.
The Howell County Sheriff’s Department requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, and a criminal investigator was dispatched to the scene around 7:30 AM.
Officials say there is no foul play suspected at this time. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, October 22 in Springfield.
The investigation is ongoing.