An inmate at the Missouri River Correctional Center has died.

Robert G. Scott, 40, died Thursday night of natural causes, prison officials said.

Robyn Schmalenberger, deputy director of transitional facilities, said Scott's emergency contact was a friend who did not know Scott's family. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has followed up on tips from the friend to try to find Scott's family but has had no luck.

"We haven't been able to locate his family," she said.

Schmalenberger said Scott told correctional center officials he was not feeling well Thursday night, so arrangements were made to take him to see the nurse at the state penitentiary.

Authorities also were transporting another inmate to the penitentiary for work reasons, Schmalenberger said. She said Scott told the driver he was feeling better and to drop off the other inmate first.

Scott slumped over in his seat in the vehicle during the short drive from dropping off the other inmate to getting Scott to the infirmary, Schmalenberger said.

Medical staff responded and performed CPR on Scott, but he was later pronounced dead, she said.

An autopsy was conducted, and preliminary results show Scott died of natural causes, Schmalenberger said.

According to court documents, Scott was in prison for an aggravated assault conviction.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)