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Virginia Beach Correctional Center inmate dies at local hospital

Demond Harris mug
Demond D. Harris

A Virginia Beach Correctional Center inmate died on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

On Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, Demond D. Harris, 37, of Norfolk, reported to a deputy sheriff that he was feeling unwell and was evaluated by jail medical staff and medics from the Virginia Beach Fire Department. They determined that Harris needed emergency medical treatment and he was transported by ambulance to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Two days later, on Oct. 13, 2021, doctors transferred him for further treatment at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he died at 6:32 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021.

Harris was arrested by the Norfolk Police Department and booked into the Virginia Beach Correctional Center on April 20, 2021, on four felony charges: possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two probation violations. He received a six-year sentence and was awaiting transfer to the Virginia Department of Corrections.

At the time of booking, Harris was provided a full medical and mental health screening, which identified pre-existing medical and mental health issues, for which he was receiving treatment and being housed in a medical observation cell. He also completed the mandatory 10-day quarantine for all new admissions to the jail. Due to health privacy laws, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office cannot release information about any inmate’s medical conditions or treatment. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk will determine the cause and manner of death. No foul play is suspected.

As with all in-custody deaths, Harris’s death has been reported to the Virginia Department of Corrections and is under investigation by the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office and Norfolk Police Department. Public notification of his death was delayed by the next-of-kin notification and autopsy results, which are still pending due to toxicology.

Sheriff Ken Stolle and the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office send their sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Any questions or requests for additional information from the news media should be directed to Margie Hobbs, Public Information Officer: mhobbs@vbso.net or 757.385.8446.