UPDATE: GBI Investigating Death of Man in Walton County Sheriff's Office Custody
Winder man died at Clearview Regional on Dec. 28.
Per GBI Region 11 Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jesse Maddox:
Update from GBI ASAC Jesse Maddox at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2013
On December 28, 2012, GBI Athens was requested to investigate a death of an inmate at the Walton County Jail. ROBERT JASON HELTON, 39, of Winder, GA was pronounced dead at Clearview Regional Hospital in Monroe, GA. HELTON was in custody for probation violation out of Barrow County. The investigation will be pending the outcome of an autopsy that will be conducted at the GBI Crime Lab. As of January 4, 2013, this investigation is pending further results from the GBI Crime Lab.
Officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the agency is investigating the death of a Winder resident while in the custody of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
According to GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jesse Maddox, Robert Jason Helton, 39, died on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. A spokesperson with WCSO confirmed that Helton was being held in the Walton County Jail on charges in another county and was transported to Clearview Regional Medical Center before the other agency came to pick him up.
No further details were available from either agency at this time. However, an update is expected from Maddox in the morning.
According to his obituary on the Carter Funeral Home website, Helton, who was born in Athens, leaves behind his parents and three sons.
Kelley Springer
9:04 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Happens to often in Walton Co!!!!!
CARMENIA TAYLOR
5:26 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Got that right!!!!! My cousin died in the walton co work release a few years back. They could have saved his life.
Amy Jellicoe
9:51 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Let's pray for his three young sons.
Ben
7:32 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
What did this person do to get locked up to begain with?, What kind of Crime did he do? He must have done something, to get locked up. I read the Patch from several different Countys & Towns each day, Walton County Sheriff's Department Catches more criminals than Gwinnett does, as per my reading of the Patch's News write ups, Again it is bad for a person to die, the reason ???, Maybe if he had not committed a crime, he would have not been in the Jail House and maybe would't have died.
Kelli Flanigan
11:36 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
How many times do you have to be in jail for one crime?
Sharon Swanepoel
7:47 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Ben, we don't have all the details at this time and it is very possible his death was unrelated to any of those things. We do not yet have any details regarding his health or general wellbeing at the time. The GBI is investigating and we will report as soon as the information is released.
weymon bagwell sr.
7:58 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
He did not commit a crime. He had a probation hold on him for being homeless
joejohnston
1:08 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
what was he on probation for? was it illegal drugs,or D.U.I,?
deanna
8:25 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
why Jason was in jail shouldn't matter. he may not have been perfect but Jason had a good heart. either way he was a human being that lost his life in custody of Walton co. his family and friends deserve to find out what happened. just because a person goes to jail doesn't mean they are a bad person or deserve to die.
Tammy Osier
8:32 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
I would imagine that being homeless he may have been sick already. Very sad. I wish it could have worked out better for him. I agree with Amy. people should pray for his family.
weymon bagwell sr.
8:43 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
He wasnt sick, his back was messed up. He didnt want sympathy from anyone. He was a hard worker when he could find it and get there. He never met a stranger. This was a sad thing no matter who he was.
Tim
10:08 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Jesus H. Christ, how long are we gonna keep beatin' this dead horse......!
CARMENIA TAYLOR
5:21 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
we all love marlboro. JR SW MEANIA
Elizabeth Robertson Bagwell
9:46 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
***It's Been 20 Days Since Marlboro Passed Away & The G.B.I, The Walton County Sheriff's Office Or Any Other Agency Involved Has Released Any Information On The Cause Of Death Or What's Going 2 Be Done 2 Make Sure Jason Gets Justice***
D.C.P.
12:54 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
paula wright micheal savage, i know u did this n ur friends cant help. G.b.i. n i know. he left behind 3 sons so i hope u stop laughing n sleep is getting harder.EYES OPEN!