SPRINGFIELD — The Vermont State Police have launched an investigation into the death of 63-year-old William J. Barrett from Brattleboro, who was found unresponsive in his cell at the Southern State Correctional Facility early Thursday morning.
Department of Corrections staff discovered Barrett at approximately 8:30 a.m. and promptly initiated life-saving measures while awaiting emergency medical services.
Despite their efforts, Barrett was pronounced dead at the facility at 9:05 a.m.
The Department of Corrections has since informed the Vermont State Police of Barrett’s passing.
An autopsy is scheduled with the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to ascertain the cause and manner of his death.
In line with standard procedures involving inmate deaths, a detective from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations was dispatched to the prison to commence the investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest that Barrett’s death was not suspicious and likely resulted from a medical event.
Barrett had been incarcerated since 2024 on multiple charges, including sexual assault of a minor, promoting a sexual recording, furnishing alcohol to a minor, disseminating indecent material to a minor, and sexual assault without consent.
The Vermont State Police have not provided any further details at this time.
The investigation is still underway, and updates will be issued as information becomes available.
