Man dies while in custody at Peabody Police station; foul play not suspected

PEABODY – The state Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the death of a Peabody man who died inside a Peabody Police Station holding cell Sunday morning after spending the night in protective custody.John Lucia, 40, was picked up by officers around 10 p.m. Saturday evening after he and another man were spotted walking in traffic. He was brought to the station and placed in the holding facility without charges.”(They) were intoxicated to the point they were a danger to themselves and/or the public,” said Peabody Police Lt. Dennis Bonaiuto. “There was nothing criminal occurring, but officers determined their safety would be in jeopardy, as well as the public’s, if they were able to continue on.”At around 7 a.m. Sunday morning, an officer went to awaken the two parties and found Lucia unresponsive. Officers initiated first aid on Lucia until medical personnel arrived; however they were unable to resuscitate him. The other man, held in a separate cell, was fine and later released.The death is currently under investigation by the Medical Examiner’s Office, who will conduct several tests including toxicology. State police officers from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office are also following up on the case.Rules and regulations of the station require that prisoners be checked on every 30 minutes. Bonaiuto said such proper procedures were followed, and at times, the parties were checked on more frequently than 30 minutes.”We have no reason to believe foul play was involved,” he said. “All procedures were followed correctly and we believe this will turn out to be a medical-type situation.”