GBI Investigates Coweta County Inmate Death

(Newnan, GA/GBI) — On Monday, July 16, 2018, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an in-custody death.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Brandon Heath Chesnee, 23, was found unresponsive in his cell of the Coweta County Jail by another inmate Monday evening who immediately notified officers.

Brandon Chesnee

Medical personnel attempted to revive him, but Chesnee was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chesnee was captured in Coweta County after his escape from the Cherokee Detention Center in South Carolina on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

Chesnee was taken into custody on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 following an extensive car chase by local and state authorities.

Chesnee was charged with fleeing from police, aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, giving false name to officers, DUI, suspended license, and identity fraud.

Chesnee also had active holds in North Carolina and South Carolina.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur, GA.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once completed, the case will be turned over to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.