NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee inmate facing a first-degree murder charge in the fatal stabbing of Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo has died at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, state corrections officials said.
Reginald Steed was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 22, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. The department is investigating his death. The cause and manner of death were not immediately released.
Steed was serving a 27-year sentence for aggravated assault, especially aggravated robbery and attempted voluntary manslaughter. He also faced charges of first-degree murder and possession of an unlawful weapon in a penal facility in connection with Pedigo’s Feb. 24 death at Morgan County Correctional Complex.
Authorities alleged Steed manipulated a faulty cell lock, left his cell and ambushed Pedigo while the officer was conducting nighttime rounds alone. An autopsy found Pedigo had been stabbed eight times in the neck with a shank, WBIR previously reported.
Pedigo’s family said Steed had planned the attack and warned multiple people that he intended to hurt someone.
The officer’s death prompted scrutiny of safety conditions at the Wartburg prison, including its cell door locks, inmate classification practices and staffing during overnight rounds.
TDOC acknowledged problems with narrow-jamb locks that inmates reportedly knew how to manipulate, sometimes using an item as simple as a piece of paper. A Morgan County grand jury heard testimony about the locks and other security concerns while considering the criminal case against Steed.
State lawmakers also questioned what prison officials knew before the attack and whether Pedigo’s death could have been prevented.
