Investigation underway in Stoddard County Jail death

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Details were scarce Tuesday regarding an investigation into the death of a 40-year-old inmate who died Saturday while in the custody of the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department. Answers, authorities said, could still be months away.

Stoddard County Coroner Aaron Mathis confirmed to the Southeast Missourian in a brief statement that his office, with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is investigating the death of Michael E. Walker of Bloomfield. An autopsy was performed Sunday by Dr. Russell Deidiker, a pathologist at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo.

Reached on his cellphone, Mathis stayed mum, declining to answer any questions about any possible cause of death.

"I'm not saying anything about that right now," Mathis said.

Results from the autopsy could be two months away, he said.

Calls to the highway patrol's public information office and its Division of Drug and Crime Control, which offers outside assistance to such investigations, went unreturned Tuesday. Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner declined to comment as well, except to refer calls to the coroner.

Walker's obituary shows that he was a construction worker who is survived by a son, a brother and two sisters and other family members. Visitation is set for today at the Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter, Mo., from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.

According to the Daily Statesman, Walker had a history of criminal charges, dating back to 1997, including for drug possession and intent to manufacturer, tampering with a motor vehicle and felonious restraint. The newspaper said Walker had served previous jail sentences before his latest stay at the Bloomfield facility.

Most recently, Walker pleaded guilty in court as a prior and persistent drug offender. He was scheduled to appear Sept. 19 in Stoddard County Court to be sentenced before Judge Stephen Sharp.

Meanwhile, another jail-death investigation is still underway in Bollinger County. Coroner Charlie Hutchings said Tuesday that he still has unanswered questions into the apparent June suicide of Charles Daniel Hovis. Hutchings had thought his investigation, which did not include the assistance of the highway patrol, would be wrapped up Aug. 17, but he received reports from an autopsy -- also performed by Deidiker -- that raised more questions, Hutchings said. Hutchings said Tuesday he had no timetable, but added he was staying in close contact with the Bollinger County prosecuting attorney's office and with Hovis' family.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

207 South Prairie St., Bloomfield, MO

202 High St., Marble Hill, MO