Conyers, GA  –  On Monday, March 12, 2018, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of an inmate.

At approximately 8:25 p.m., Shali Tilson, an inmate at the Rockdale County Jail, was found deceased in his cell. Tilson was alone in the cell at the time of his death. No apparent injuries or identifiable cause for Tilson’s death was found during the examination of his body at the scene. Tilson had been incarcerated at the facility for approximately nine days. 

An autopsy was conducted at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur on March 14, 2018.  The examination found that the cause for Tilson’s death was pulmonary thrombi due to dehydration.

A subdural hemorrhage was identified at autopsy, the cause of which was not able to be determined.  No fractures or other injuries were found.  The manner of death has been ruled undetermined. 

The case file will be turned over to the Rockdale Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.  Tilson’s family was briefed on the investigation and autopsy during a meeting on May 14, 2018.

Nelly Miles – Public Affairs Director | Decatur | [email protected]