ST. GABRIEL — A 43-year-old inmate died in Elayn Hunt Correctional Center on Tuesday, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections officials said.

The inmate was identified as Walter Lewis. At this time, his death is undetermined and an autopsy will be requested.

WBRZ has reported on numerous problems at the facility dating to August 2024. Since Sept. 23, 2025, there have been 17 deaths at Elayn Hunt; Tuesday's death marks the 18th death at the facility.

Earlier in December 2025, the Department of Corrections said it "acknowledges that the correctional facility has seen an uptick in unexpected deaths over the last several months." Three people recently died at the facility within the span of a few days, with two people dying on Jan. 25 and another person on Jan. 27.