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Another inmate has died in custody at Macon jail. What to know about recent in-custody deaths

Stories by Macon Telegraph journalists, with AI summarization

Editor’s note: This story contains details of suicides in the Bibb County Jail and may be disturbing to some readers. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those who want to help someone else. Call 988 to speak with a trained listener or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or more information.

Two inmate deaths by suicide have occurred at the Bibb County Jail in Macon so far this year.

Here's a look at The Telegraph's in-depth coverage of these deaths, what is being done to prevent them and what inmate families are saying and doing on behalf of their loved one.

Correctional deputies found inmate Christopher Henderson, 50, “unresponsive” on Oct. 22, 2025. He died by suicide at the Bibb County Jail after being booked the day prior.

Detainee Wesley Kyle Gautney, 41, died by suicide in June 2025 prompting internal and external investigations.

A Telegraph investigation published earlier this year found nine people died in Macon’s jail while being held as inmates from 2020 to 2024, with four of them being suicides, according to data from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Several families have filed lawsuits against staff connected to the Bibb County Jail following the death of a loved one while in custody.

Troyce Billingslea died by suicide in September 2023 after fellow inmates reported his suicidal ideations. His family's lawsuit filed in January 2025 claims staff negligence and understaffing contributed significantly.

Dakota Smithers, 25, who was charged with loitering, died by suicide in February 2020 after showing signs of distress. His family initiated a lawsuit against jail staff, which was eventually dismissed earlier this year on grounds that the deputy's duty was discretionary.

Read more in the stories below:

Pictures of Dakota Smithers and Troyce Billingslea hover over the Bibb County Jail, where both died by suicide. An excerpt of a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and others alleged that staffing issues contributed to the death of Billingslea, court records show.

NO. 1: VICTIMS’ FAMILIES SAY MACON JAIL SUICIDES ARE PREVENTABLE. HOW COMMON ARE THEY?

“This seems to be an ongoing issue,” said Steve Smithers, father of Dakota Smithers, who died by suicide at the Bibb County Jail in 2020. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alba Rosa

Officials say several improvements have been made at the Bibb County jail since four inmates escaped last year.

NO. 2: BIBB COUNTY INMATE’S CRIES FOR HELP WENT IGNORED, LAWSUIT SAYS. HE LATER DIED BY SUICIDE

The inmate left behind a note claiming he tried to be put on suicide watch before the incident, according to a lawsuit. | Published January 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alba Rosa

Officials say several improvements have been made at the Bibb County jail since four inmates escaped last year.

NO. 3: LAWSUIT THAT BLAMED BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF FOR INMATE’S SUICIDE IS HEADED TO FEDERAL COURT

“Despite his repeated expressions of suicidal ideation, witnessed by inmates and reported to staff, those responsible for his safety failed him at every turn,” the lawsuit said. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alba Rosa

Bibb County Sheriff’s Office sits off of Oglethorpe Street on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. A Bibb County Jail inmate suffered injuries after hot water was thrown at him by other inmates. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 4: DETAINEE DIES BY SUICIDE AT BIBB COUNTY JAIL, SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS. WHAT WE KNOW

He was found unresponsive, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

A judge’s gavel. By Getty Images

NO. 5: APPELLATE JUDGES SAY MACON DEPUTY MONITORING JAIL NOT LIABLE IN INMATE’S DEATH

The inmate had died by suicide in the Bibb County Jail in February 2020. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alba Rosa

The Bibb County Jail sits off of Oglethorpe Street on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 6: MAN DIES IN CUSTODY AT BIBB COUNTY JAIL, OFFICIALS SAY. WHAT WE KNOW.

A man held at the Bibb County Jail died by suicide Wednesday, according to the Bibb County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.