Prisoner who died in Athens jail identified by sheriff’s office

By Joe Johnson

The man who died last weekend while incarcerated at the county jail in Athens has been identified as 45-year-old Joshua Lee Silvers.

He was a convicted child molester who had been jailed for failing to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

He had been convicted of sexual battery against a 6-year-old girl in Oconee County.

Jail personnel found Silvers unresponsive in his cell Sunday night and he died after unsuccessful lifesaving attempts.

Per protocol for in-custody deaths, the incident is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office is withholding the release of additional information pending completion of the GBI inquiry.