FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-46)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

August 23, 2017 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Ronald Fort (57), inmate #31572, died at 10:18 pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the Johnson County Hospital.  Fort was assigned to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and was serving a combined sentence of 31 years 8 months to Life for charges in Douglas County. Fort was convicted of second degree murder in 1978, possession of a firearm by a fugitive/felon in 1990 (while on parole), and manslaughter in 1992 (while on parole). 

Fort was in his assigned cell when he experienced a medical incident and was subsequently transferred to the local hospital via emergency responders. The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the death and, as is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Department of Correctional Services, a grand jury will conduct an investigation.

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