Inmate Death Reported at the Oconee County Detention Center

On Friday afternoon, Victor James Dunaway, a 62-year-old man from Walhalla, passed away at the Oconee County Detention Center, located at 300 South Church Street in Walhalla. Mr. Dunaway was found in cardiac arrest in his solitary cell around 2:35 pm. Despite immediate CPR efforts by the LEC staff and EMS response, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:05 pm.

The Oconee County Coroner Office was alerted at 3:09 pm and arrived at the detention center to confirm Mr. Dunaway’s death at 3:40 pm. The cause of death appears to be medical, but an autopsy is scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2023, to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Mr. Dunaway had been held at the Oconee County Detention Center since last year, awaiting trial for the alleged murder of 67-year-old Nancy Popham. As per standard procedure, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was requested by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident.

The investigation into Mr. Dunaway’s death is currently being conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oconee County Coroner’s Office.