Ozark and Douglas County Sheriffs investigate death of Wright County prisoner

Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin and Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase recently conducted an investigation into the death of Wright County Jail inmate Daniel Moore, who was found dead inside his jail cell earlier this month. 

According to a press release from Degase, Moore was found dead with a blanket tied around his neck on Feb. 11 when Wright County Jail staff entered the cell to serve breakfast. Jail staff members attempted to revive Moore, but the efforts were unsuccessful, Degase said. 

An autopsy performed the next day revealed that Moore died from asphyxiation consistent with hanging. The results of the toxicology report are still pending, and investigators are in the process of obtaining video surveillance footage of the hallway where Moore’s cell was located. 

“It is customary to have an outside agency conduct the investigations on cases such as these,” Degase said in the news release. “At this time there is nothing to indicate any type of foul play; however, investigators are waiting until the surveillance videos are viewed to make an official ruling.”

According to Ozarks First, Moore was being held in the Wright County Jail on a probation violation from a former weapons charge. 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423