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Bexar County inmate discovered in his cell not breathing has died, sheriff's office says

The 57-year-old man was transported to Baptist Hospital in critical condition, where he died shortly after midnight Saturday morning.

SAN ANTONIO — A Bexar County Detention Center inmate who was placed on life support Friday afternoon after he had been found not breathing in his cell had died, the sheriff's office said Saturday.

Sheriff Javier Salazar said that the inmate had been found unresponsive at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, but he said he didn't believe the man was trying to take his own life. 

The inmate was identified Saturday as Michael Rene Johnson, 57.

When he was found, deputies and medical staff began performing life-saving measures, the sheriff's office said. Johnson was transported to Baptist Hospital in critical condition, where he died shortly after midnight Saturday morning.

Officials said their preliminary assessment is that Johnson suffered a medical episode. However, the Medical Examiner's Office will determine the final cause of death.

Johnson was booked into the detention center on March 22, 2018, and was awaiting trial on charges of Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Kidnapping.

A formal investigation of Johnson's death will be conducted. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has also been notified of the incident.

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