Nevada inmate, awaiting trial in teen's murder, found dead in jail cell

Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A Nevada inmate, awaiting trial in the kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old Naomi Irion, has died by suicide in his prison cell, according to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies discovered inmate Troy Driver, 43, unresponsive in his maximum security jail cell, where he had no contact with other inmates, during a routine check Sunday.

"Upon discovering the inmate, deputies immediately entered the cell and started lifesaving measures to include CPR," Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope said in a statement.

"CPR was continued and after several rounds with no effect, fire department medical personnel contacted an emergency room doctor through regional medical control who was advised of the lifesaving attempt and advised medical personnel on scene to terminate CPR and pronounce the inmate deceased," Pope added.

Driver was awaiting trial on murder charges in the death of Irion, who was last seen at 5 a.m., on March 12, 2022, in the parking lot of a Walmart in Fernley, Nev., just east of the California border. Irion was waiting for a bus to take her to the Panasonic Energy of North America, where she worked.

Investigators say surveillance video showed a man in a gray hooded sweatshirt get into the front seat of Irion's car, before driving away. Irion's body was found more than two weeks later, following Driver's arrest, in a grave in Churchill. Driver was charged with murder, first-degree kidnapping, robbery, burglary of a motor vehicle and destruction of evidence.

The Nevada State Police Division of Investigations will conduct an investigation into Driver's prison death. While no other information was released, Pope said preliminary details indicate Driver "committed suicide by asphyxiation."

"I want to express my sincerest condolences to the Irion family," Pope said. "My thoughts and prayers are with you."