Man charged with young daughter’s murder dies at Cook County Jail

An autopsy Wednesday was inconclusive on a man who died at the Cook County Jail Tuesday while awaiting trial in the murder of his 8-year-old daughter.

Andre Ford

Andre Ford, 29, died at the jail’s Cermak Hospital at 11:19 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Wednesday was inconclusive.

Cook County Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith said Ford died from an apparent heart attack thought to be related to a chronic medical condition.

The Sun-Times previously reported that Ford suffered from a disease that involved the build-up of scar tissue on the skin.

Ford had been in custody since Sept. 16, 2013, when he was charged with the murder of his 8-year-old daughter Gizzell Ford, authorities said. Helen Ford, Gizzell’s 51-year-old grandmother, was also charged with murder and is being held without bond.

Paramedics found Gizzell’s body, covered with cuts, scratches and bruises, on July 12, 2013, at the apartment the three shared in the 5200 block of West Adams, authorities said at the time. Prosecutors alleged Ford watched as his daughter was denied food, water, sleep and use of the bathroom.