A Manhattan man died while in custody Friday morning at the Riley County Jail, the second such incident in less than a month.
According to the Riley County Police Department, 25-year-old Joseph Varvel was detained around 1:45 a.m. in the 300 block of North 14th Street for suspicious activity. While speaking with officers, RCPD says he ran and was later found in possession of cocaine.
Officers on scene called for Riley County EMS assistance at 1:50 a.m. after Varvel complained of breathing issues while in custody. Paramedics showed up a few minutes later and cleared him just after 2 a.m. He was then taken into custody on charges of cocaine possession and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, as well as interference with law enforcement.
About an hour and a half later, RCPD says Varvel became physically ill and paramedics were dispatched to the jail to provide treatment. His condition quickly worsened and Corrections Officers began lifesaving measures. He was transported to Via Christi at around 4 a.m. and pronounced dead less than hour later.
Per state statute, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will lead an investigation into his cause of death.
Varvel’s death is the second at the Riley County Jail in less than two weeks. On April 15, officers found 38-year-old Laura Pearce dead from an apparent suicide.
KBI is also investigating that incident.
