A 61-year-old man died of natural causes at the North Charleston County Jail in December 2025, according to a state investigation.
Cause of Death
Mark Walker died from ruptured blood vessels in his stomach, caused by tissue scarring from a Hepatitis C infection. The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Medical Attention in Jail
Walker had been in the jail infirmary for about two days before his death. Cellmates reported that he had breathing problems and spent much of the day sleeping. Nurses, aware of his history of lung disease, provided oxygen and other respiratory treatments, but his condition worsened rapidly.
Background
Walker, his wife, and another person were arrested on November 16, 2025, on drug charges. He died on December 6, 2025.
Notification Delay
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office delayed notifying Walker’s family. His wife was informed two days after his death, and public notice was withheld for about three weeks.
