facebook-pixel

Brigham City man dies two days after he’s booked into jail

50-year-old had “detox symptoms” when he arrived at the jail.

Police are investigating the death of a man who was booked into the Box Elder County jail on misdemeanor charges.

Thomas Jeffrey Johnston, 50, of Brigham City, was arrested Thursday on outstanding warrants for drug possession. According to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, the jail staff was notified that Johnston “was experiencing detox symptoms” when he was booked. According to officials, he was housed in an observation cell for “continuous monitoring” and he received treatment for detox symptoms.

On Saturday at about 11 p.m., Johnston notified jail staff “that he could not urinate and didn’t feel well.” And “after a discussion” with the jail’s medical staff, he was taken to Brigham City Community Hospital, where he died about an hour later.

The Cache County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Johnston’s death.

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.