A Huachuca City man who started serving a five-year prison sentence in November died in custody last week, the Arizona Department of Corrections confirmed Monday.
Michael Lynn Ross, 53, died Jan. 6 at the Abrazo Buckeye Emergency Center. He was transported there earlier in the day from the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis in Buckeye, according to an ADC spokesperson. The spokesperson added that all inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with a medical examiner.
Arizona Daily Independent has confirmed the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has opened a file related to Ross’s death. The file notes the cause and manner of death as pending. No further statement is expected from ADC until after an autopsy report is finalized.
Court records show Ross was sentenced Nov. 23 to five years in prison for two drug offenses, including the transportation of methamphetamine for sale in September 2020. The other charge stemmed from the possession of meth in May 2019.
After sentencing Ross remained at the Cochise County jail until being transferred to ADC custody on Dec. 17.
