BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – A man committed suicide while in a holding cell at the Raleigh County Sheriff’s headquarters today.
It happened after deputies took him into custody after a standoff at a home in Cool Ridge. He allegedly locked himself into a room with a lighter and propane tank and threatened to light it.
Those on the scene managed to get inside before that happened.
“Friends and neighbors, as well as Raleigh County deputies, were able to make entry into the residence and take him into custody. Deputies placed the male under arrest and transported him to Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office headquarters for processing as well as potential mental hygiene commitment procedures,” Sheriff J.C. Canaday said in a prepared statement.
Deputies put him in a holding cell as they worked on necessary paperwork. During that time, he used his clothing to hang himself inside the cell, despite precautions.
“Deputies discovered that he had used parts of his clothing to hang himself in the holding cell despite the physical countermeasures in place,” Canaday said.
Now, the sheriff’s office has to find out what went wrong. Canaday says the sheriff’s office is launching an internal investigation.
This in a developing story. Newswatch will keep tracking it and will bring you updates as we learn more.
Micah Leith contributed to the reporting in this story.
