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Ga. officials investigating 3 inmate deaths in past week

The Georgia DOC says Demitri Carter died at Phillips State Prison in Buford and James Wheeler at Wilcox State Prison in Abbeville

Associated Press

BUFORD, Ga. — Georgia prison officials are investigating three inmate deaths in the past week, two of which they say are apparent suicides.

The Georgia Department of Corrections says 25-year-old Demitri Carter died at Phillips State Prison in Buford and 39-year-old James Wheeler died at Wilcox State Prison in Abbeville. Both were found unresponsive in their cells Sunday.

Corrections officials said both appear to have killed themselves but declined to provide more details, saying the deaths are under investigation.

Carter had been sentenced to prison in 2014 for aggravated assault. Wheeler was sentenced in 2001 for armed robbery and theft.

Separately, the department says 57-year-old Roy Bradshaw was found unresponsive in his cell at Hancock State Prison on Tuesday and was pronounced dead. He was sentenced in 2009 for charges including murder.

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