State Police Investigating Inmate’s Death In Smyrna

The Delaware State Police are investigating the death of an inmate James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC).

Officials said on November 19, Paul Webber, a 61-year-old inmate was found deceased in his cell. Webber was found unresponsive during a routine security check at 10:59 a.m., in his single inmate cell. Security staff at JTVCC immediately initiated lifesaving measures upon finding Webber and were joined by the facility’s medical staff.

Emergency Medical Services paramedics were dispatched to the scene, where they continued the efforts to resuscitate Webber. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11:48 a.m. by the medical staff at JTVCC.

In response to this event, the Delaware State Police were notified and arrived to conduct an independent investigation into the cause of death. Additionally, Webber’s body has been transferred to the Division of Forensic Science for a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Paul Webber, a resident of Newark had been in the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction since 2010. He was serving a 25-year sentence as a habitual offender for Attempted Robbery 1st Degree at the time of his death.