The Arkansas Department of Correction today announced the death of an inmate at Varner Unit. It’s the second inmate death in 24 hours for the ADC. 

According to a spokesman for the ADC, last night around 10 p.m., Jody Cook, 42, an inmate at the Varner Unit in Grady, was seen “acting abnormally” in his barracks. He was sent to the infirmary, then on to a local hospital. His condition declined, and he was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m. this morning. The Arkansas State Police will be conducting an investigation into Cook’s death. 

Advertisement

The ADC had previously announced the death yesterday of Isaiah Chandler, 25, who died yesterday in his cell at Tucker Unit from unknown causes. 

According to information online, Cook was sentenced in 2007 out of Miller County to 35 years in prison after being convicted of rape and theft of property. He wouldn’t have been eligible for parole until 2024.

Advertisement

Cook was notable in particular for his extensive tattoos, which, according to a long list on the ADC website, included tattoos reading or featuring: 

“PITBULL, “MAFIA: PIT BULL”, “NO MERCY”, “NO REGRETS”, “JOHN 15:13” (CROSS), “SWATSKI”, LIGHTNING BOLTS, “TYRA”, “SOUTH”, “LITTLE BIT”, “WHITE POWER”, IRON CROSS / SKULL, STAR, “SWATSKI”, “DIRTY”, TEAR DROP, “1013”, FLAMES, 4 STARS,  “JOSEPH” and SKULL / FLAMES. 

He was also, according to the ADC description, missing half of one ear. 

Advertisement