DEATH INVESTIGATION

Lane Co. Sheriff's Office

On 08/24/2023 at 2:00pm, a Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy working within a housing unit at the Lane County Jail discovered a male adult-in-custody (AIC) unresponsive in his cell during hourly checks. His last check had been completed at 1:00pm.  The male had a ligature tied around his neck and was unconscious and not breathing. The deputy removed the ligature and immediately began life-saving efforts. Emergency medical assistance arrived and despite continued life-saving efforts the male did not survive. 

Detectives along with the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and began an investigation.  All indications at this point are that the male died as the result of apparent suicide.  Investigators with the Medical Examiner’s Office are continuing the investigation into the official cause of his death.  A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today. 

The male is identified as 33-year-old Joshua William Cates.  Cates was convicted in June in the Lane County Circuit Court for Sex Abuse in the First Degree, Attempted Rape in the First Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree. He was pending sentencing on these charges at the time of his death.