An inmate serving a life sentence in Cameron for first-degree murder died Wednesday.

The Missouri Department of Correction said Vernon Tatum, 66 was pronounced dead at the Cameron Regional Medical Center at 11:56 a.m.  Tatum had been confined at the Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron.  The department said Tatum died of apparent natural causes.

Tatum was received into the MDC on June 21, 1982 and was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder from Jackson County.