DA's Office Awaits Autopsy of Man Who Died in Somerville Jail

The Middlesex District Attorney's office confirmed that a 52-year-old man died early Monday morning while being held at the Somerville Police Station.

Stephanie Chelf Guyotte, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney, said the DA's office is waiting for results of an autopsy before deciding how to proceed with the case.

Guyotte said there was no evidence of foul play or trauma in the man's death.

The man, William Reardon, was homeless, according to Guyotte. He was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 3 on Grove Street, in the Davis Square area, on a warrant for failing to register as a sex offender, according to a Somerville police booking log.

The Boston Globe reported news of his death Friday morning.

Guyotte said the Somerville Police Department reported the death to the district attorney's office, adding, "That's standard procedure."

She said Somerville police are cooperating with the DA's office.

The warrant for Reardon's arrest came out of Boston, the Globe reported. Jake Wark, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, clarified some information about the warrant, saying it was for failure to show up at an arraignment at Boston Municipal Court. Reardon was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 2—the day before he was arrested in Somerville—for failing to register as a sex offender.

The Boston Globe also reported that "prisoner advocates are raising questions" about the death, noting that Somerville jail cells aren't air conditioned and aren't intended for lengthy stays.

Another thing to consider: Since Reardon was a homeless person with a sex offender charge, perhaps he had few other options for shelter and meals.