SPRINGFIELD –– The Vermont State Police launched an investigation into the death of an inmate at Southern State Correctional Facility on Sunday, Nov. 5.
The deceased, identified as Dennis Mayotte, 37, of North Springfield, was found dead in an apparent suicide at approximately 1:45 p.m. The Department of Corrections alerted the State Police about the incident.
Despite attempts at life-saving measures by the facility staff and emergency medical services, Mayotte was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy is scheduled to be performed at the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to confirm the cause and manner of death.
Mayotte had been an inmate at the Southern State Correctional Facility since his arrest on Oct. 26 by Brattleboro police on charges including first-degree arson, unlawful mischief, reckless endangerment and unlawful trespass.
The Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations has assigned a detective to the case as per the standard protocol for deaths involving inmates.
Police say the death does not appear to be suspicious, however, the investigation is ongoing.
