Although awaiting results from the autopsies, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said one death was an apparent suicide, while the other was a “natural death.”
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Friday afternoon that they are investigating the deaths of two men who died in their custody, one that happened Thursday evening, and the other Friday morning.
In a release, JSO said its cold case unit is handling the separate death investigations.
According to the sheriff’s office, 61-year-old William Browning was pronounced dead on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. after being taken to a local hospital following his arrest. JSO said Browning was arrested that morning for allegedly trespassing, violating the Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety Ordinance and possessing drug paraphernalia. He was reportedly arrested near businesses at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road.
While the arresting officer was completing necessary paperwork, JSO said Browning became unresponsive.
“Based on Browning’s appearance of medical distress, the officer called for paramedics,” JSO said. “Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded and immediately began life-saving measures. This was all recorded on the officer’s body worn camera.”
Although the sheriff’s office stated that they are awaiting the results from Browning’s autopsy to confirm his cause and manner of death, their release says the cold case unit is investigating Browning’s death as a suicide.
The second in-custody death JSO said they are investigating Friday is the death of 41-year-old Matthew Hutchins, who was reportedly charged with second-degree murder.
On Dec. 30, 2024, JSO said Hutchins was taken to a local hospital for an existing medical issue, where he remained under the hospital’s care until his death.
“His death continues to be investigated as a natural death, and we are awaiting autopsy results from the Medical Examiner’s Office once that is completed,” JSO said.
