Autopsy: 'Seizure disorder' killed Durham County jail inmate

The results of an autopsy released Wednesday show a Durham County Detention Center inmate died on January 19 from complications of a seizure disorder.

Posted 1:36 p.m. Jun 23, 2016 — Updated 1:48 p.m. Jun 23, 2016

DURHAM, N.C. — The results of an autopsy released Wednesday show a Durham County Detention Center inmate died in January from complications of a seizure disorder.

Mathew Lamont McCain, 29, was found dead in his cell on Jan. 19. An independent investigation conducted by the Durham County Department of Public Health found McCain had suffered a seizure earlier in the day, but there were no significant traumatic injuries present.

"Individuals with seizure disorders often have no anatomic findings present at the time of autopsy to explain the presence of the seizure disorder," the autopsy said. "Individuals can die suddenly from a seizure despite adequate therapy with anti-seizure medications."

McCain had been in the jail since August on charges of assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, battery of an unborn child, communicating threats and domestic criminal trespass, according to jail records.

He was one of three inmates to die in custody in Durham County since the beginning of 2015, which has prompted protests and a review of jail operations.

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