The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced that Rayshawn Sheppard, a 30-year-old inmate from Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI), with a history of significant chronic health conditions prior to his incarceration, died on Thursday evening, March 18 at Christiana Hospital.
Sheppard, of Seaford, Delaware, has been in DOC custody since 2019 and was serving an eight-year sentence for drug dealing. He was brought to the SCI infirmary on March 9 where he was monitored and tested for symptoms of generalized weakness and lethargy. Sheppard was administered a COVID-19 test and tested negative. On March 12 he was admitted to Beebe Hospital for additional testing after his condition did not improve, and he was subsequently transferred to Christiana Hospital for further testing and analysis. On March 18 his condition suddenly deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest. Aggressive lifesaving measures were not able to revive him and he was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 7:15 p.m. on March 18.
Sheppard’s body was released to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.