MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Five Monroe County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) corrections deputies have been suspended after an in custody death was ruled a homicide.
On August 21, 2025, a revised autopsy revealed 74-year-old Elijah Lester Isbill died from "hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by dehydration and restraint."
The report further stated, "the manner of death is amended to homicide."
As a result, the MCSO has suspended the following five corrections deputies with pay:
On Thursday, February 6, Madisonville police officers arrested Isbill after a call for service.
According to WVLT, Isbill's family called 911 after he began showing signs of a medical emergency, like heightened blood pressure, heart rate and difficulty communicating with others.
At the time of his arrest, the MCSO said he was slurring his speech, unsteady on his feet, and making threats towards the officers on scene.
After being booked into the Monroe County Justice Center, Isbill was placed in a restraint chair due to being uncooperative with corrections deputies.
The MCSO said this was done in the presence of medical staff to prevent further harming himself or staff.
A spit mask was also placed over Isbill's head to prevent him from spitting on staff.
Hours later, he was found unresponsive in the cell.
Corrections deputies and medical staff performed life-saving measures on Isbill, including CPR.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.