KENNETT - The Missouri State Highway Patrol has determined there was no foul play involved in the death of a man in police custody.
Ernest Williams, 43, died early Sunday morning after being taken into custody by Kennett police.
The Kennett Police Department requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Crime Control investigate Williams' death. Following an autopsy on Monday, the Division of Crime Control reported Tuesday afternoon Williams' death was by natural causes.
At approximately 12:31 a.m. Sunday, officers with the Kennett Police Department conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Baldwin and Clipper streets. During the stop, a person, later identified as Williams, fled on foot and was pursued by officers. Officers located Williams hiding behind a residence in the 600 block of North Jackson Street and took him into custody without incident.
Williams was transported to the Kennett Police Department and upon arrival began complaining of shortness of breath.
At that point, the Medic One Ambulance service was notified. Medics transported Williams to the Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center where he later became unresponsive and was eventually pronounced dead.