Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OGDEN — Two jails in northern Utah had inmates in their custody die on Monday.
In separate news releases Monday, the Weber County and Box Elder County sheriff's offices announced each had one person die in their care, with investigators in both counties believing each died by suicide.
Weber County Jail officials said deputies were alerted to a problem in one of the jail's housing sections. Deputies later found the person and performed lifesaving measures. The person was rushed to a hospital where they were later pronounced dead.
Though the sheriff's office indicated it believes the death was an apparent suicide, the Weber County Attorney's Office will lead an investigation into the in-custody death.
The sheriff's office initially did not identify the deceased, as the next of kin had not been notified Tuesday. But on Wednesday, the sheriff's office identified him as Joey Conrad, 42. Jail booking records indicate Conrad was first booked into the jail on Nov. 19.
That same day, the Box Elder County Jail reported an in-custody death of its own.
Around 11:15 a.m., Jed Collatz was found "in cardiac arrest" during a safety and security check by jail deputies, according to a news release from the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office. Deputies and medical staff began treating Collatz before paramedics were called to the jail. Despite their efforts, Collatz died at the jail, the sheriff's office says. Collatz had been booked into the jail on Saturday and was awaiting a bail hearing.
The sheriff's office said a preliminary investigation revealed Collatz's death was caused by suicide. The Northern Utah Critical Investigative Team — which is made up of members of law enforcement in Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties — will handle the investigation into Collatz's death.
