Three Deaths At Cascade County Jail In Two Weeks

July 16, 2024 - Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter announced on Monday, July 15, 2024, that the detention center had experienced the tragic loss of three inmates in the past two weeks. The incidents, which occurred separately, involved two suicides and one drug overdose, though the specific dates of each event have not yet been disclosed.

According to Lewis & Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton, who conducted the autopsies, the deceased individuals are Leon Laverdure, a 51-year-old male from Great Falls, who died by asphyxiation due to hanging on June 29; Julius Lowe, a 28-year-old male from Shelby, whose death on July 5 is suspected to be an overdose pending confirmation; and Andrew Swager, a 58-year-old male from Great Falls, who also died by hanging on July 10.

In response to these tragic events, the Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation has initiated an inquiry, as is customary in cases of in-custody deaths. Once the investigations are concluded, coroner's inquests will be scheduled to ascertain whether any criminal elements were involved in the deaths.