BAYBORO – A 52-year-old man, being held in the Pamlico County Detention Center since mid-February, died in the early am hours of Sunday, July 12 – apparently from natural causes.
Derrick Willis had been charged with a variety of drug-related offenses. According to friends and family – who have since spoken with inmates that witnessed Willis in distress – medical responders were not promptly summoned as vomiting by Willis began in his ‘locked down’ enclosure.
“The guys in the nearby cells could not get anybody to respond even though they were yelling, screaming, and kicking on their big steel doors,” said one woman who knows Willis well. This same person went on to say “we think Derrick was having a heart attack.”
Others cited frequent problems with the jail’s intercom system that was apparently inoperable, which would also have delayed any type of emergency medical response. Many friends and family intend to complain to the State Bureau of Investigation – the state agency charged with an official determination of what happened, including shortcomings in policy and procedures.
Those who wish to contribute tips, thoughts and opinions are encouraged to contact the SBI Public Information Officer, Mr. Chad Flowers at email: cflowers@ncsbi.gov
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