The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched investigations into two separate inmate deaths at different county jails in Georgia, both occurring on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In Cook County Jail, at approximately 7:00 a.m., 47-year-old John Vanhouten from Adel was discovered unresponsive in his cell. Despite immediate intervention from jail officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), life-saving measures were unfortunately unsuccessful. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI’s assistance in the investigation, which is currently active and ongoing. An autopsy will be conducted by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Macon to ascertain the cause and manner of Vanhouten’s death.

Also, the Appling County Sheriff’s Office sought GBI involvement following the death of 50-year-old Kenny Edwards of Baxley. At around 8:50 p.m. on the same day, jail staff were alerted to a medical emergency involving Edwards. After extensive efforts to save him by both jail personnel and EMTs, he was transported to the hospital, where life-saving measures were also attempted but ultimately failed. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler will perform an autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding Edwards’ death. Both investigations remain ongoing.

Once the investigations are concluded, case files will be forwarded to the respective District Attorney’s Offices for further review.