Inmate Found Dead in Sevier County Jail Cell

A Sevier County man facing armed robbery charges was found dead in his Sevier County Jail cell by a corrections officer on Sunday morning.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, a guard found Ronald D. Arrowood, 23, of 934 Indian Gap Rd. in Sevierville, hanging in his cell by a bed sheet at approximately 11:17 a.m. on March 1, 2015. CPR was initiated immediately. EMS arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Arrowood was in a single cell by himself at the time he was discovered.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating Arrowood’s death at the request of Sheriff Seals. The Medical Examiner’s Office ordered an autopsy, which is standard procedure for any inmate death.

Ronald D. Arrowood, 23, of Sevierville.

Arrowood was charged with armed robbery on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 after allegedly robbing the Smartserv Market on Boyds Creek Rd. with a meat cleaver. A citizen captured him near the store shortly after the incident. Arrowood was arraigned before a Magistrate, who set a bond of $60,000.00, and has remained in custody at the Sevier County Jail. He had a hearing date scheduled for April 10, 2015.

The investigation is ongoing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at this time.

Photo: Sevier County Sheriff’s Department