Inmate Death Under Investigation

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

FORSYTH, Ga. – Special Agents with the Georgia Department of Corrections’ (GDC) Office of Professional Standards are investigating the death of an inmate at Autry State Prison in Pelham, Ga., as a suspected homicide.

Agents have reason to believe offender Michael Dantzler (GDC#1000112586) died as a result of injuries sustained during an altercation involving another inmate on November 11.  Medical personnel responded and life saving measures were performed.  He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 3:10 am by a hospital physician.  GDC, in conjunction with the GBI is conducting an investigation into the death, as standard procedure.

Dantzler was sentenced to five years in 2019, in Fulton County for possession of firearm by a convicted felon.

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.