Western Virginia Regional Jail confirms medical response
ROANOKE COUNTY – During the morning of Sept. 20, an inmate at Western Virginia Regional Jail died at the hospital after losing consciousness while being treated by jail medical staff.
According to a statement released by jail personnel, John Robert Eames, 55, “began experiencing medical complications while being treated by the jail medical staff.”
“Eames was being treated and managed by the jail medical department for a number of chronic medical conditions,” the statement reads. “During his evaluation and treatment he lost consciousness and 911 was activated.”
Roanoke County Fire- EMS personnel responded to the jail for treatment and transport.
“Eames was treated on scene by EMS personnel and subsequently transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by EMS,” the statement reads. “He was admitted to Carilion ICU and required additional life support measures. During his admittance to ICU he began to deteriorate and succumbed to his chronic medical conditions.”
A preliminary autopsy report finds Eames died from natural causes.
Eames was being held at WVRJ for Franklin County on several charges, including pretrial charges of first degree murder, four counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, two counts of robbery, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of grand theft auto, larceny of firearms, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, brandishing, malicious discharge of a weapon, hit and run, and reckless driving.
The charges stemmed from a 2017 theft from and murder of an 80-year-old man in Franklin County and subsequent carjacking at gunpoint. When confronted by police during the event, Eames shot himself in the head and was hospitalized. He was remanded to WVRJ after he recovered and was being held without bond.
– Heather Bell
