BESSEMER, Ala. — The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified an inmate who died earlier this week at William Donaldson Correctional Facility, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The inmate was pronounced dead at the prison on Wednesday afternoon, January 28, 2026, according to officials.

The decedent was identified as Guy Greggory Griggs, a 60-year-old Black man who was incarcerated at the state prison located on Warrior Lane in Bessemer. The coroner’s office said Griggs was pronounced dead at 1:16 p.m. inside the facility. No immediate cause of death has been released as authorities continue to review the case.

According to the coroner, Griggs had sustained an injury earlier this month while housed at the prison. Officials said he suffered a head injury on January 9, 2026, which was reportedly the result of an accidental fall inside the correctional facility. Following the incident, Griggs was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being returned to the prison.

After his discharge from the hospital, Griggs was housed in the prison infirmary, where he remained under medical supervision. Authorities said he continued to stay in the infirmary up until the time of his death. Details about his condition in the days leading up to his passing have not been made public, and it is unclear whether additional medical complications developed.

Records show that Griggs was serving a life sentence at the time of his death. He had been convicted in 1996 of capital murder in Jefferson County. Prison officials have not commented on whether his incarceration status or past conviction played any role in the circumstances surrounding his injury or death.

The Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services is listed as the investigating agency in the case. Officials said the death remains under investigation, and additional findings may be released following a full review, including medical records and facility reports. The coroner’s office has not yet announced whether an autopsy will be conducted. As the investigation continues, the death adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding inmate health care and safety within Alabama’s prison system.