Two Hampton Roads Regional Jail inmates die within hours of each other

PORTSMOUTH — Two inmates at Hampton Roads Regional Jail died within hours of each other Thursday, according to the facility.

The incidents were unrelated.

Keith Andre Robinson, an inmate who worked in the kitchen, was starting his morning baking preparations when he collapsed at 1:46 a.m., according to a news release. “Lifesaving measures were initiated” until EMS arrived and took over, Col. Jeff Vergakis, interim superintendent, said in the release.

Robinson was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Portsmouth police are investigating, which is standard, and the regional jail will conduct an internal investigation.

Robinson’s cause of death was not announced. In jail deaths, that is typically determined later by the state medical examiner’s office after an autopsy or other review of the case.

The second inmate, William Felton, 74, had been in end-of-life care for months between Maryview Medical Center and the jail, according to a separate news release. He was hospitalized Jan. 27 and died Thursday at 2:31 p.m., the release said.

The facility’s efforts to get compassionate release for Felton were unsuccessful.

The jail did not say why Felton had been hospitalized in January.

Margaret Matray, 757-222-5216, margaret.matray@pilotonline.com

Sierra Jenkins, 229-462-8896, sierra.jenkins@virginiamedia.com