An autopsy conducted today in Columbia showed a preliminary cause of death as natural causes for a deceased inmate found yesterday in his cell.

On 08/02/12 at approximately 06:17 hours a detention officer conducting a routine cell check discovered a deceased male inmate. Mark L Willis, age 50 of Joplin was pronounced dead at the scene. Willis was in a cell by himself. There were no obvious signs of foul play or suicide.