Darko Tabar, 74, died after being treated for breathing issues in custody, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office reports, marking the second inmate death in two weeks.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — An inmate at the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden has died, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials say the inmate, Darko Tabar, 74, was checked by medical staff after he experienced some difficulty breathing on July 24. He was taken to ECMC by the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps for further treatment just before 5pm. He died later that evening.
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The sheriff’s office says Tabar was taken into custody by Buffalo Police on July 7 on charges of Criminal Contempt and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Officials say he had a history of cardiac tissues. Investigators say there is no suspicion of foul play and the investigation is ongoing.
This is the second death of an incarcerated person the Erie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Earlier this month, two inmates at the Erie County Holding Center were charged with killing another inmate.
Chico Garcia, 49 of Buffalo, and Skyler J. Gill, 21 of Lancaster, were both charged with one count of Murder in the 2nd Degree.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, on Saturday, July 4, shortly before 11:15 a.m., deputies found Antonio Pizarro, 27, unresponsive inside of his cell. Despite life-saving efforts, Pizarro was pronounced dead at 11:54 a.m.
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Officer determined Pizarro was killed by strangulation.