Two Inmate Deaths at Guilford County Jail Prompt Active Investigations

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office confirmed that two people held at the county detention center died in separate incidents late last month and this week, and both deaths are under investigation by the sheriff's office and the medical examiner.

The first case involves 65-year-old Jimmy Wilkerson, who was arrested Dec. 23, 2025, on a driving while impaired charge. Detention staff found Wilkerson in medical distress inside his cell on Dec. 24, 2025. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment and later suffered a medical episode that resulted in his death on Jan. 3, 2026. Officials said Wilkerson's next of kin was with him at the time of his death.

The second death occurred Jan. 6, 2026, when detention staff discovered 47-year-old Nathaniel Rice unresponsive inside his cell. Emergency medical services responded and pronounced Rice dead at the scene. Authorities have not released a cause of death. Rice had been arrested Aug. 27, 2025, and was being held on multiple charges including first-degree arson, resist, obstruct or delay, four counts of malicious conduct by a prisoner, and assault on a government official.

Both investigations remain active. The involvement of the medical examiner indicates that official causes and manners of death will be determined through forensic examination, and further details will be released as those reviews conclude.

For Guilford County residents the incidents touch on several community concerns: the adequacy of medical screening and monitoring in county detention facilities, the transparency of reporting by law enforcement, and the procedures for responding to in-cell medical emergencies. In-custody deaths can prompt reviews of detention protocols and training, and they often generate scrutiny from families, local leaders, and civil rights advocates seeking explanations and policy changes.

The sheriff's office is the primary source for updates on the ongoing investigations, and the medical examiner's findings will provide the official causes of death. As those findings are released, residents can expect statements from authorities and potentially additional administrative reviews. Local officials will face pressure to explain steps taken to prevent future incidents and to ensure the health and safety of people in county custody.