TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Nov 3, 2025

Two more inmates have died at the Shelby County Jail bringing the number of deaths at the facility to at least nine this year and more than 60 since 2019. The first inmate died on Oct. 30 and was identified as 24-year-old Dalton Goddard, who was arrested by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper on Oct. 19 after a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with several drug offenses, the Daily Memphian reports. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Additionally, another death at the jail was confirmed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in an email this afternoon. A TBI spokesperson identified the inmate as 40-year-old Antonio First, who was convicted in 2024 on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. First’s cause of death is still unknown but a TBI spokesperson said no foul play is suspected.