Pinellas County Jail Inmate Found Dead, Investigation Underway

Elderly man’s death not considered suspicious, pending medical examiner’s report.

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 65-year-old inmate found unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday morning.

Paul Dechene, who was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on July 11, 2025, for a violation of pre-trial release, was pronounced dead after detention and medical staff attempted life-saving measures.

According to a news release, Dechene was found unresponsive on his bed at approximately 8:44 a.m. on September 16. He was pronounced deceased about 45 minutes later, at 9:29 a.m…

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