Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Tuesday.
Shawn Gero-Drew, 29, died Tuesday morning at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) after DOC staff found Mr. Gero-Drew unresponsive in his cell at Northwest State Correctional Facility (NWSCF) in Swanton, Vt., on Monday evening. DOC and medical staff began life-saving efforts and immediately called for outside medical assistance. Emergency services transported Mr. Gero-Drew to Northwest Medical Center via ambulance. Mr. Gero-Drew was subsequently transferred to UVMMC, where he died Tuesday morning.
The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner but is suspected to be suicide at this time.
DOC notified Vermont State Police and the Defender General’s Prisoners’ Rights Office of the death per state law and protocol. These entities will conduct separate investigations into the death in conjunction with DOC’s administrative and medical reviews. The DOC Peer Support Team is available for NWSCF staff.
Mr. Gero-Drew was incarcerated since December 6, 2022, for violation of parole stemming from an arrest for felony Domestic Assault, Unlawful Restraint – 2nd Degree, and Interfering with Emergency Services.
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