Inmate Death at Lenoir County Jail
An inmate at the Lenoir County Jail suffered a medical emergency early this morning and has since passed away.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., detention officers conducting routine 15-minute rounds observed an inmate, identified as Richmond Tee Croom III, unresponsive in his cell. Officers immediately entered the cell, began life-saving measures, and initiated CPR while requesting emergency medical assistance.
Detention officers, along with Kinston Fire Department personnel and Lenoir County Emergency Medical Services, were able to regain a pulse. Mr. Croom was transported to UNC Lenoir Health Care, where life-saving measures continued. His family was notified and remained at his bedside.
Despite continued medical intervention, Mr. Croom was pronounced deceased at approximately 9:36 a.m., surrounded by his family.
Mr. Croom was housed alone in a cell and was under 24-hour camera monitoring at the time of the incident.
Mr. Croom was incarcerated in the Lenoir County Jail by the Kinston Police Department on August 17, 2025, at approximately 1:10 a.m. He was charged with three counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction. His bond was set at $130,000 secured.
Mr. Croom had known medical conditions and was being treated and monitored by the detention facility’s medical staff prior to the incident.
As a standard procedure, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been requested by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an independent review of the incident.
