UPDATE: 2 inmates dead of suspected overdose; 1 held less than a day

GREENWOOD, W.Va. (AP) —

Updated Story (12/08/2020 11:33 AM):

One of two inmates who died of a suspected overdose had been incarcerated for less than a day, authorities said.

Messina said David Eugene Smith had been jailed Friday evening on charges out of Marion County including forgery, uttering, possession with intent and conspiracy, The Exponent Telegram reported.

The second inmate, Jeremy Imani Carter, had been incarcerated since July 22 on an alleged parole violation from a Harrison County grand larceny conviction, Messina said.

The incident is under internal review as well as being investigated by State Police, Messina said.

Original Story (12/06/2020 8:14 PM):

Authorities in West Virginia are investigating the deaths of two jail inmates in a suspected overdose.

Three inmates were found unresponsive Saturday in a quarantine cell at the North Central Regional Jail, said Lawrence Messina, a spokesman for the state Department of Homeland Security.

Two of the inmates were pronounced dead about an hour later. Messina identified them as David Eugene Smith, 40, and Jeremy Imani Carter, 31. The third inmate was treated at a hospital before being returned to jail.

“While the initial indication is that the incident is overdose-related, the internal review remains ongoing as is an investigation by the West Virginia State Police in accordance with Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation policy,” Messina said.