MT. VERNON (WMIX) – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is reporting the death of a 27-year-old Waltonville man found unresponsive in his jail cell Wednesday morning.

According to the sheriff’s office, around 3:14 a.m. Wednesday, a member of the jail staff found Jacob A. Hunsell unconscious and unresponsive in his jail cell after an apparent attempt to harm himself.

The employee and other correctional officers quickly responded to provide aid and EMS personnel were dispatched to the jail. EMS arrived on the scene and took over attempts to resuscitate Hunsell.

He was transported to Crossroads Hospital Emergency Room, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse responded and notified Hunsell’s family.

The sheriff’s office says the Illinois State Police has been contacted to investigate Hunsell’s death as is standard procedure in circumstances involving inmate deaths.

The sheriff’s office will also conduct a parallel administrative investigation into these circumstances.

Further information will be made available upon the completion of both investigations.

The sheriff and his staff send their condolences to the family of Jacob Hunsell.