State investigating in-custody death at Wake County detention center
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sheriff’s Office launched internal probe and requested SBI external review.
- Alvin Saunders, 33, was found unresponsive in his cell; examiner will determine cause.
- A 2024 in-custody suicide led to staff firings and renewed scrutiny of practices.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal investigation and has asked the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation to look into the Saturday death of a man held in the Wake County Detention Center.
Alvin Saunders, 33, was found unresponsive in his cell at 7:20 a.m., the sheriff’s office said in a statement. EMS was called, and detention officers and medical staff attempted to revive Saunders to no avail. Saunders was pronounced dead shortly after.
The sheriff’s office did not provide details on who found Saunders or how he was found. A cause of death awaits the assessment of the medical examiner, the sheriff’s office said.
As is often done for an in-custody death, the SBI will investigate. The SBI will report its findings to the Wake County District Attorney’s Office.
Saunders was arrested on March 2 — charged on six counts including felony assault on a person with a disability — according to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office inmate catalog. He was being held on a $100,000 bond.
In 2024, a man held in the Wake County Public Safety Center, Blair Medford, committed suicide after he blocked the view into his cell with his jumpsuit, The News & Observer reported. Detention officers walked past his cell four times but failed to check on him or take the jumpsuit down. Three employees were fired.
This story was originally published October 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM.
.jpg)