A Grovetown man with a history of shoplifting was found dead in his cell at the Columbia County Detention Center, hours after being charged with stealing compressed air from the Evans Walmart.
Brandon Joiner, 32, was found deceased in his holding cell at 2 a.m. Friday, according to a press release from sheriff’s Maj. Steve Morris.
“He had been arrested at Wal-Mart in Evans for shoplifting cans of compressed computer air,” Maj. Morris said. “He was transported to CCDC and a booking report was completed at approximately 11:40 p.m. He was placed into a holding cell where he was the sole occupant.”
At about 2 a.m. Friday, jail personnel found Joiner unresponsive. Jail personnel began to administer CPR and Narcan with negative results, Maj. Morris said. EMS and firefighters arrived where attempts to save Joiner met with negative results.
Joiner was convicted before for a similar theft in March 2021 from the Martinez Walmart. He was also convicted of stealing alcohol from a Circle K in October 2021. In that case, his coworker said Joiner confessed to drinking the alcohol before they got to a construction site around 8 in the morning.
Maj. Morris said an autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause of death. It’s unclear whether Joiner inhaled the compressed air before going to jail, but the cans of compressed air, or air dusters, are often abused by addicts to get high. Because canned air products contain gases, the fumes can lead to psychoactive effects, which is known as an air duster high.
Joiner’s Facebook page shows pictures of him performing in various rock bands over the years, including Lastlegacy.
Ray Prichard posted this message at the request of Joiner’s wife, Brooke:
“It’s with an extremely heavy heart that I announce the death of a beloved husband and my best friend, Brandon Joiner.
Brandon passed away early this morning, Saturday, Feb 11. We are broken-hearted and struggle to find the words to express our grief.
We mourn because we will not see him again soon enough. But we are comforted that Brandon is now with Jesus, at peace and truly alive.
Brandon’s wife, Brooke asked me to announce this news. I know she is grateful for all the love and support. Please keep Brooke and the rest of Brandon’s family in your prayers as they grieve.
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Brandon Thomas Joiner, August 21, 1990 – February 11, 2023”
