Ottawa County inmate's death ruled a suicide

9-16-2010 Oklahoma:

Authorities say an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Ottawa County jail revealed that the man committed suicide.

Donald Whitely, 39, of Miami, Oklahoma was found dead in his cell overnight on Wednesday.

Whitely had been charged with the following:

•rape in the 2nd degree
•possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
•possession of drug paraphernalia in the presence of a minor
•possession of marijuana in the presence of a minor.

Updated 9/15 4:40 PM CST: In addition to charges of possession, we have learned that an Ottawa County inmate found dead in his cell had other charges against him.

Donald Whitely, 39, of Miami, Oklahoma was booked September 10 for rape in the 2nd degree and possession of firearm in commission of a felony.

Updated 9/15 2:40 PM CST: Authorities have released the identity of an Ottawa County jail inmate found dead in his cell overnight Wednesday.

Donald Whitely, 39, of Miami, Oklahoma, had been booked on September 10 for possession of drug paraphernalia in presence of a minor and possession of pot in presence of a minor.

The chief medical examiner is holding the body for autopsy.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death. ..Source.. by KOAM TV

Convicted child molester hangs himself in ACI cell

Note comments by lawyer, posted to this suicide.

9-28-2010 Rhode Island:

CRANSTON — A 52-year-old convicted child molester hanged himself Friday in his cell in the Adult Correctional Institutions’ intake center, a department spokeswoman said Monday.

The man was not identified because the case is still under investigation by state police, Corrections Department spokeswoman Tracey E. Zeckhausen said. State police could not be reached Monday afternoon for comment on the status of their investigation.

The man was initially classified as a suicide risk after he was brought to the intake center on Sept. 16, Zeckhausen said. That classification was lifted after Corrections Department psychiatrists examined him and said they felt he was no longer a threat to himself, she said. The most recent visit with him had been Friday morning, the day he died.

The man was found hanged by a bed sheet in his single-occupant cell at around 2:30 p.m., Zeckhausen said.

He had been convicted of first-degree child molestation and had been in the prison part of the ACI from May 2002, until May 2009, when he was released on probation. He was scheduled to be on probation until 2027, Zeckhausen said.

Man facing sex charge kills self at motel

9-9-2010 Florida:

A former Daytona Beach man wanted on a charge of sexual battery on a minor committed suicide near Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach police said Wednesday.

Richard Joseph Malin, 35, who lived on North Peninsula Drive before he disappeared, killed himself Friday at a motel on State Road 7 in Plantation, police there confirmed.

A judge in Volusia County issued Malin's arrest warrant Aug. 27. Police at the time believed he left the state but knew he displayed suicidal tendencies.

Police in Plantation could not immediately provide details of the suicide. ..Source.. by ANDREW GANT, Staff writer

INMATE SUICIDE INVESTIGATED BY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

8-29-2010 Colorado:

On Sunday August 29, 2010 at about 10:10 A.M., while conducting rounds and cell inspections of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility, deputies discovered an inmate who had hanged himself by wrapping a bed sheet around his neck. Forty minutes prior to the discovery of the suspected suicide, the inmate was observed by other inmates to be functioning within the general inmate population. The inmate is identified as Jeffrey Wayne Purcella, Age 21.

Mr. Purcella was alone in his assigned cell at the time of the incident. Detentions Deputies immediately rendered aid to Mr. Purcella, to include CPR. Mr. Purcella was treated on the scene by paramedics of the South Metro Fire District and transported to the Sky Ridge Medical Center. While being treated at the Sky Ridge Medical Center Emergency Room, Mr. Purcella, passed away and was determined to be deceased at 11:03 A.M. on August 29, 2010.

Mr. Purcella was being held at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility since March 3, 2008 on a $50,000.00 bond regarding allegations of Second Degree Kidnapping, Sexual Assault and Third Degree Assault.

The investigation into the apparent suicide death is continuing. ..Source.. by Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office

Lewis County Jail Inmate Commits Suicide

9-3-2010 Washington:

A 40 year old male inmate, originally from Morton, was pronounced dead last night by apparent self-strangulation in his cell at the Lewis County Jail.

Medical personnel were summoned by jail staff after they discovered the inmate had apparently strangled himself using bedding in his cell. The inmate was pronounced dead at the scene. The inmate was isolated in a high security cell by himself. Suicide notes were located within his cell.

The inmate was booked on August 24th for Rape of Child 2nd degree for having repeated sexual contact with a minor female over recent years.

Corrections officers indicated there had been no indication of suicidal behavior from the inmate.

An autopsy will be conducted. ..Source.. by Lewis County

Convicted Sex Offender Commits Suicide at Reno Jail

9-1-2010 California:

A convicted sex offender has committed suicide at the Washoe County Jail.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A convicted sex offender has committed suicide at the Washoe County Jail.

64-year-old Ivan Lynn Bennett of Fernley was found deceased in his cell Sunday night. He was the sole occupant of the cell.

Bennett was booked into the jail Aug. 27 on new federal charges accusing him of possessing child pornography.

Records show he was convicted in Nevada in 2003 of possession of
child pornography and in 1992 of annoyance or molestation of a child.

Child molester apparently takes his own life

9-1-2010 California:

HUNTINGTON BEACH - – A man who was about to report to jail for molesting a 4-year-old apparently killed himself at his Huntington Beach home, according to City News Service.

Prosecutors say Ronald Steven Bell, 47, took his life on the same day that he was scheduled to begin a one-year sentence for molesting his girlfriend's daughter, the news service reported.

Huntington Beach Police confirmed that they had responded to reports of a body in a residence in the 8200 block of San Angelo Drive early Tuesday morning. Orange County Coroner's officials verified that the body has been identified as Bell but indicated that an official cause of death has not been determined.