An investigation is underway after a man convicted of drug possession with intent to distribute in Lyon County last year died in custody earlier this weekend.
The Kansas Department of Corrections says Michael Jared Fancher was pronounced dead shortly before 2:15 pm Sunday at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. He was 29.
Fancher was convicted in Lyon County last year for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Kansas Department of Corrections says he had been transferred from El Dorado to Larned in February and was eligible for parole in July 2024. In addition, Fancher had been convicted in 2017 on drug possession charges and in 2011 for drug sales.
An autopsy is pending. The Department of Corrections and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are conducting a joint inquiry into Fancher’s death as per state protocol.
