An Iowa inmate died at the Iowa Medical & Classification Center Long Term Ambulatory Medical Care Unit onTuesday.

According to an Iowa Department of Corrections press release, Roy Bales, 70, was housed at the center, serving a life sentence for first-degree murder from Harrison County. Bales started his sentence Aug. 16, 1982, the release said.

Bales died Tuesday at 10:45 a.m., and staff found him unresponsive in his bed. Health-services staff employed emergency medical protocols but were unable to revive him, according to the release.

Bates was announced deceased at 10:52 a.m.

According to the release, his death was natural causes of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and congestive heart failure.

— by Jordyn Reiland