Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide Unit
Department of Detention and Corrections
-Detention Investigation Unit (DIU)

Cheler Destra (Deceased Inmate)
DOB: 01/11/1980
Address: Pinellas County Jail -14400 49th Street North, Clearwater

Northside Hospital
6000 49^th Street N. St. Petersburg

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating the death of an inmate who collapsed while sitting in his wheelchair at the Pinellas County Jail and died shortly after his arrival to Northside Hospital.

When:
The inmate died at approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday,  March 30, 2017.

Where:
The Pinellas County Jail is located at 14400 49^th Street North, in Clearwater.

The inmate was at Northside Hospital, 6000 49^th Street N. St. Petersburg at the time of his death.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating the death of an inmate who collapsed while sitting in his wheelchair at the Pinellas County Jail and died shortly after his arrival to Northside Hospital.

According to investigators, 37-year-old inmate Cheler Destra, collapsed in his wheelchair upon returning to his assigned housing area at the Pinellas County Jail’s North Division Healthcare housing area 2H2-A1 at approximately 10:59 am. on Thursday,  March 30, 2017.

Detectives say Destra visited the health care clinic on todays date and collapsed immediately upon his return to his assigned housing area. Detention and medical staff at the jail performed CPR on Destra until paramedics responded. Destra was transported to Northside Hospital via ambulance. Shortly after his arrival to the hospital, Destra was pronounced dead by hospital staff at approximately 12:30 pm.

Detectives say Destra has a history of medical issues, there were no obvious signs of injuries on the inmate's person and no incidents of confrontation or use of force. His death does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

Destra was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on March 21^st 2017, by Largo Police Department (LA17-2857), for a petit theft charge and an outstanding writ (17-01795-OC-MM-1), out of Orange County.

Next-of-kin has been notified.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

The investigation continues.