Man Dies In Metro Jail

Mobile County Sheriff's Office Mobile Metro Jail Family is devastated over the death of Wendell Howerin Jr. Authorities say "As with any death of an inmate we will conduct a complete and thorough investigation."

by Diana Lucio

Published: Sat, February 09, 2008 - 9:21 pm CST Last Updated: Sat, February 09, 2008 - 9:48 pm CST

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office says an investigation is underway after a Metro Jail inmate dies while in their custody.

Authorities say 23-year-old Wendell Howerin Jr. was arrested Friday afternoon for possession of drug paraphernalia and of a controlled substance. Howerin was being held in Mobile Metro Jail Friday night, when just before 10 o'clock they noticed him in some type of distress. That's when Correctional Officers responded immediately and found him unconscious. Authorities say within ten minutes he was taken to Mobile Infirmary where he was treated for a possible drug overdose and later died. According to the Sheriff's Office preliminary medical results show drugs in his system.
"My heart was broken, I felt the deepest pain I've ever felt. A pain that I did not even think I could ever feel and I felt it, "said Cleda Howerin his mother.
Howerin says her son struggled with a drug problem for almost five years and tried to get help through rehab several times. "About a month ago, he told me how much he hated it, he didn't want to be that way. And I knew the person that he was and I knew that he didn't want to be that way," Said Howerin.

Wendell Howerin Junior grew up in Irvington. He was born on a leap year and was going to turn 24 years old, February 29th. He was the oldest of his family, with a younger brother and sister.

Authorities are conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of his death. The Howerin family says funeral arrangements are pending.

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Ashley Perry Says:

Mon, Feb 11, 2008 at 7:18 pm

I love Wendell with all my heart. I didn’t get to know him long,but the time I did, I knew he was a great person. My sympathy goes out to his family & I will pray for them everyday. It’s a terrible loss for everyone that knew him. He will be missed dearly, and God be with us through this terrible tragedy.

AFULLER Says:

Mon, Feb 11, 2008 at 3:48 pm

I knew this kid as a baby, “Little Wendell”, when he and his family visited our church where his grandfather pastored. He comes from a good family. It broke my heart to learn of his death. To Cleda, Wendell and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry to hear about your loss.

Shubunkin Says:

Sun, Feb 10, 2008 at 5:20 pm

It’s sad that this young man had to die like that. I see he has a lot of friends leaving comments. He sounds like he was a really nice boy, who got himself into a really bad situation. I hope his friends realize from this that drugs kill, and know stay away from them. My heart goes out to you all, because I have been where you are myself, too many times to mention.

TaraG Says:

Sun, Feb 10, 2008 at 3:49 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was such a sweet young man. He will truly be missed!

acaringperson Says:

Sat, Feb 09, 2008 at 10:01 pm

i loved him very much . noelle howerin

acaringperson Says:

Sat, Feb 09, 2008 at 10:00 pm

he was the sweetest person you could ever meet