Inmate identified who died at Allegheny County Jail during 'medical emergency'

An incarcerated person who died Monday at the Allegheny County Jail has been identified.

Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office report released Wednesday evening lists the deceased as Nathan Piernik, 38, of Glenshaw.

The cause and manner of his death was not listed.

He died after housing-unit staff called a medical emergency around 10 a.m., jail Warden Trevor Wingard said in a prepared statement.

Staff members performed lifesaving measures on Piernik until paramedics arrived at 10:22 a.m., Wingard said. He was pronounced dead at 10:38 a.m.

Wingard referred questions to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, whose spokeswoman did not return a phone call or email Monday seeking comment.

Jesse Geleynse, a jail spokesman, declined comment.

The jail will conduct “an internal review” of the incident, which Wingard called standard practice.

Allegheny County Police have initiated an investigation.

Jim Madalinsky, a police spokesman, told TribLive an investigation is “standard procedure” after a jail death. He declined further comment.

The man arrived at the Second Avenue jail Oct. 1 on harassment charges, Wingard said. While being held at the jail, he was sentenced for two restraining-order violations, authorities said.