Montgomery County man dies in Philadelphia police custody less than 48 hours after arrest, according to authorities.

A man from Norristown, Pennsylvania, has died while in police custody at a Philadelphia station, raising concerns about the circumstances leading up to his death. Authorities report that Joshua Mister, a 44-year-old individual, was arrested on a Friday evening, approximately one hour after being apprehended by SEPTA police officers.

The incident began around 7:30 p.m. Friday when SEPTA police encountered Mister on the 2800 block of Kensington Avenue while he was reportedly trying to evade fare payment. Upon conducting a background check, officers discovered Mister was wanted due to a bench warrant for his failure to appear in court in Philadelphia. Following the arrest, Mister was transported to Temple University Hospital’s Episcopal Campus for a medical evaluation before being booked at the 25th District police station located on Whitaker Avenue.

Despite having received medical attention, the situation turned dire just over two days later. On Sunday morning, at approximately 6:00 a.m., a Philadelphia police officer found Mister unresponsive in his cell at the 25th District headquarters. Emergency services were quickly alerted, but he was pronounced dead shortly after at 6:16 a.m., which has prompted further inquiries into the cause of death.

As of now, authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the circumstances that may have led to Mister’s demise, nor has the cause of death been released to the public. This incident raises important questions about the treatment of individuals in police custody and the protocols followed by law enforcement agencies in cases where medical assessments are involved.

The Philadelphia Police Department, along with SEPTA, is expected to cooperate fully with any investigations that may ensue following this incident. Community members and advocates are calling for transparency as an investigation unfolds, highlighting the need for accountability in cases involving custodial deaths. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of both medical assessments in custody situations and the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals in their care.

An official investigation is anticipated to look into the events that transpired during Mister’s brief time in custody and to determine if any procedural failures contributed to this tragic outcome. This incident underscores the ongoing discourse surrounding police practices and the urgent need for systemic reforms within law enforcement agencies nationwide.