Coroner identifies man who died in Charleston County Jail

NORTH CHARLESTON — A 62-year-old man arrested on trespassing charges died in Charleston County Jail.

Lorenzo Trapp died July 3 at the Al Cannon Detention Center. The Charleston County coroner released Trapp’s identity July 5, saying an autopsy to determine the cause of death was pending.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said officers responded to reports of a “possible natural death” around 6:30 p.m. on July 3.

North Charleston police arrested Trapp on June 19 for trespassing. He was being held on $257 bail ahead of a July 24 hearing, according to jail records.

Trapp was previously arrested by Charleston police on June 4 for urinating or defecating in a public place and trespassing. He was released on June 18, according to jail records.

Trapp was found alone and unconscious in his cell when deputies arrived. Paramedics tried to revive him but were unsuccessful, according to the affidavit. Trapp died in prison.

The prison is currently under federal civil rights investigation. Federal investigators are looking into a potential pattern of abuse following a series of deaths at prisons in Charleston and Richland counties.

Federal officials said in November they were investigating the jail’s provision of medical and mental health care, use of solitary confinement, use of force and whether it discriminated against mentally ill inmates. In Richland County, the investigation was to focus on violence at the jail and whether the county could keep inmates safe.

Another inmate died of an apparent suicide June 24 at the Charleston County Jail. The inmate was in the Behavior Management Unit and was found hanging from a light fixture with a torn piece of a mattress cover tied around his neck, according to the report.

According to a press release, Sheriff Kristin Graziano asked the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate Trapp’s death. The sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is reviewing the incident in accordance with department protocol.