The Hall County Attorney's office has appointed attorney Rachel Daugherty special prosecutor to lead the investigation into the death of Jeffrey Todd Hansen. Nebraska law requires a grand jury investigation when someone dies in the custody of law enforcement.

According to the Hall County Attorney's office, Hall County Jail inmate Jeffrey Todd Hansen died shortly before 1:00 Monday afternoon.

42-year-old Hansen was transported from the jail to St. Francis Medical Center around 8:00 Sunday night.

Officials say an autopsy has been ordered, but aren't releasing details of the events surrounding Hansen's death.

Inmates moved into the jail a little over a month ago.

Before the move-in jail officials praised the new direct supervision design, saying they could better monitor inmates.

"Right now we can't keep an eye on them where as here we can see everywhere they go," said Hall County Corrections Assistant Director Jimmy Vann earlier this year.

Hansen was being held pending a preliminary hearing on one count of theft by unlawful taking, a class 3 felony.

According to court documents, Hansen was homeless at the time of his arrest in late July.

The death is being investigated by South Central Area Law Enforcement Services.

The alliance of law enforcement agencies includes several Central Nebraska agencies and the state patrol.