Inmate found dead at Wilcox State Prison

ABBEVILLE, Georgia – An inmate died at Wilcox State Prison on Thursday, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

They say Arthur Williams is serving a 12-year sentence for aggravated assault in Newton County and is expected to be released from prison in December 2025.

They did not give a cause of death.

Williams’ body will be turned over to the GBI crime lab to determine the official cause of death.

This is not the only death in a central Georgia prison in July.

27-year-old Zachary Olivar was found dead early Tuesday morning in Johnson State Prison. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

According to the Department of Corrections, there are no reports of a struggle or signs of foul play. Nathan Stanley, Johnson County’s deputy coroner, says jail staff were making their rounds when they found Olivar’s body on the floor.

Olivar was serving a 20-year prison sentence for aggravated assault on a Jones County police officer. He is expected to be eligible for release in January 2042.

Jarod Quayshawn Williams died Wednesday in Macon State Prison while serving a 20-year sentence for manslaughter in Dekalb County. His sentence would have been four years or less since he had been incarcerated since 2008.

The Department of Correction’s statement states the cause of Williams’ death.

Torrey Forrester, 42, was also found dead in Washington State Prison in July. His cause of death is unknown.

Forrester was serving a three-year prison sentence for possession of methamphetamine with intent to resell in Catoosa County; his release date was scheduled for March 2025.

All of their bodies were taken to the GBI crime lab to determine the official cause of death.

Williams’ death is being investigated by the GDC’s Office of Professional Standards in accordance with standard procedure, so as the investigation is ongoing, no further details are available.