Raymond Detention Center said Mielun Butler, 18, was found unresponsive in his cell early Thursday and was transported to Merit Health, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The detention center said the cause of death appears to be an assault and that MBI is leading the investigation.
The post said Butler was booked July 1, 2026, by JPD on a murder charge. Officials did not provide additional details on the circumstances that led to his booking or the events inside the detention center that preceded the discovery.
Deaths in custody typically prompt an outside criminal investigation and an internal review of facility procedures. Agencies such as MBI often handle in-custody deaths to provide an independent inquiry into possible criminal conduct and to determine whether policies and protocols were followed.
The detention center posted the initial information on social media and identified MBI as the lead investigative agency. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
