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 Valdosta State Prison in Valdosta, Ga., as a suspected homicide.

Agents have reason to believe offender Orvonta Tillman (GDC#1000498085) died as a result of injuries sustained during an altercation involving another inmate on June 15.  Emergency Medical personnel responded and life saving measures were performed. Tillman was pronounced deceased at the facility by the County Coroner at approximately 1:00 a.m., June 16.  GDC, in conjunction with the GBI is conducting an investigation into the death, as standard procedure.

Tillman was sentenced to 20 years in 2011, in Gwinnett County for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping.

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 approximately 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 https://gdc.georgia.gov.