Port Allen, LA (9/7/2025) — The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office (WBRSO) has launched a criminal investigation following the death of 26-year-old inmate Nicholas Henderson at the parish detention center.
Incident Details
Just after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, correctional deputies were alerted by Henderson’s cellmate that he was unresponsive inside a lockdown cell. Deputies and medical staff immediately responded and attempted first aid, but Henderson was pronounced deceased shortly after.
The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the West Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office.
Prior Altercation
On Friday, September 5, 2025, Henderson was involved in a physical altercation during which he attacked another inmate. The injured inmate was hospitalized and remains under medical care.
Following the incident, WBRSO Detectives charged Henderson with Second Degree Battery. He was then moved from general population to a lockdown isolation cell shared with another inmate. Officials noted that Henderson had received breakfast on the morning of September 7 and showed no signs of medical distress prior to his death.
Ongoing Investigation
Sheriff Jeff Bergeron emphasized that the incident remains under active investigation. “Any loss of life in our custody is taken seriously,” Bergeron said. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into this incident and continuing our efforts to enhance security measures inside our facility.”
Facility Security Measures
In recent weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has conducted multiple facility-wide shakedowns, resulting in several arrests and the removal of contraband. Sheriff Bergeron has also assigned an investigative team to the facility and directed additional deputies from the Uniform Patrol Division to support correctional staff with extra shifts.
No further details are being released at this time.
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