A 55-year-old male inmate at the Sangamon County Jail was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of February 18, 2025. Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon later identified the deceased as Jeffrey T. Lapping of Springfield.
According to officials, correctional staff discovered Lapping alone and unresponsive at approximately 8:29 a.m. Medical assistance was requested two minutes later while staff initiated life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Emergency personnel transported Lapping to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:59 a.m. An autopsy conducted later that day found no signs of injury or trauma. Preliminary findings suggest he died from natural causes, though final results are pending toxicology reports.
In a statement, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office said, "There is no indication or reports of foul play or any external factors contributing to his death. Correctional staff followed all proper procedures in their response to this medical emergency. The routine checks were conducted as scheduled, and personnel acted swiftly upon discovering the unresponsive individual. Unfortunately, despite their immediate efforts and the intervention of medical professionals, nothing more could have been done to prevent this outcome."
The Sheriff's Office also confirmed that video footage of Lapping’s time in custody, including staff response, exists and will be released at the appropriate time in accordance with legal and procedural guidelines.
The incident remains under investigation.