Preliminary autopsy released on French Robertson Unit inmate death

ABILENE, Texas — The preliminary autopsy on a French Robertson Unit inmate who died over the weekend has been released.

Seth Donnelly, 29, was pronounced dead Sunday, two days after he was found unresponsive.

According to the preliminary autopsy, which was performed by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office, Donnelly suffered multi-organ failure following severe hyperthermia.

Judge Sparky Dean said he was told by the hospital that Donnelly's core body temperature was 106-degrees.

The cause of death is still unknown.

The final autopsy is expected to be released in late July or early August after the toxicology results are complete.

A Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesperson said they have reason to believe "illicit drugs" may have played a role.

Donnelly was serving a 12-year sentence for intoxicated manslaughter.

His family released the following statement to KTXS:

"The family is heartbroken over the loss of our sweet Seth. He was a kind person who made a tragic mistake. He wanted nothing more than to pay his debt to society and return to his community to begin a new life for himself. The family is hoping for a fair and thorough investigation."

The Office of Inspector General–TDCJ is investigating the death.