Inmate dies at prison work farm

Michael F. Easley Governor		Theodis Beck Secretary
North Carolina Department of Correction

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: John McLarty
Date: September 3, 2003	Phone: (336) 694-1583

Inmate dies at prison work farm YANCEYVILLE- Inmate Anthony Ashe died after an apparent accidental drowning at Dan River Prison Work Farm Tuesday, Sept. 2 at approximately 2:20 p.m. According to witnesses, Ashe and another inmate were swimming across an irrigation pond located on Dan River's premises in violation of prison policy. A correctional officer ordered the inmates out of the pond. One inmate made it safely to the far side of the pond, but Ashe had gone under water. Two correctional officers and the inmate made attempts to locate Ashe. Prison officials immediately called Caswell County EMS and Caswell and Person County Rescue Squads. After the rescue squads sent in divers and dragged the pond, Ashe’s body was found at approximately 4:50 p.m. His body has been sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Chapel Hill for an autopsy, which is routine in inmate deaths by unusual circumstances. The Caswell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Ashe, 23, was serving a four year and three month sentence for various drug-related offenses in Forsyth County. # # # ATTENTION EDITORS: For a digital photo of inmate Anthony Ashe, visit the Department of Correction web site at www.doc.state.nc.us and click the link "Offender Search" or call the Public Information Office at (919) 716-3700.