OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Just before 4 a.m. Saturday, another detainee in the Oklahoma County Detention Center (Jail) was discovered attempting suicide, according to Mark Opgrande with the Jail.
According to Opgrande, Andrew Avelar (D.O.B. 11/17/94) was found “unresponsive” in his cell as detention officers were doing site checks and pulling detainees for release. The officer and then Jail medical staff “began life saving measures” until firefighters with the Oklahoma City Fire Department and EMSA arrived and took over.
Avelar was taken to a local hospital where he died at 4:48 a.m.
He was booked into the Jail January 31, 2022.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating and will make the final determination of Avelar’s cause of death.
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.