Highway Patrol rules no foul play in Kennett man's death

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol has determined no foul play was involved in the death of a man in police custody.

Ernest Williams, 43, died early Sunday after being arrested by Kennett police.

The Kennett Police Department requested the Highway Patrol's Division of Crime Control investigate Williams' death. After an autopsy Monday, the Division of Crime Control reported Tuesday afternoon Williams' death was by natural causes.

At 12:31 a.m. Sunday, Kennett officers conducted a traffic stop at Baldwin and Clipper streets. During the stop, a person, later identified as Williams, fled on foot and was pursued. Officers found Williams hiding behind a residence and took him into custody without incident.

Upon arrival at the Kennett Police Department, Williams began complaining of shortness of breath. The Medic One Ambulance service took Williams to the Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, where he later became unresponsive and eventually was pronounced dead.

The autopsy found he had an enlarged heart and other cardiovascular problems.