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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A 21-year-old was found dead in his prison cell at Valdosta State Prison on Dec. 24. The Lowndes County Coroner’s Office responded and pronounced Javion Benham dead at 6 p.m.

An investigation was done, and the cause of death was ruled strangulation, with a manner of “homicide.” The coroner’s office estimates Mr. Benham died sometime on Monday, Dec. 22.

“It seems unfathomable that a prison can miss someone for two days. That’s a major security concern if nothing else. I understand these inmates deserve to be in prison, but no one deserves to lie dead in prison for two days and begin to decompose. At some point, someone has to listen and do something. Enough lip service from Atlanta, Valdosta State Prison needs help,” Austin Fiveash, Coroner of Lowndes County said.

WALB has requested more information from the Georgia Department of Corrections, and we are waiting to hear back.

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