By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A man arrested Tuesday for rape of a child was found dead of an apparent suicide in the Lewis County Jail last night, according to the sheriff’s office.
Jail staff found the 40-year-old inmate yesterday evening had apparently strangled himself using bedding in his cell, according to a news release. He was originally from Morton, the sheriff’s office reported.
The man was isolated in a high-security cell by himself. He had requested that, said Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. Suicide notes were found in his cell, according to Brown.
Corrections officers indicated there were no signs of suicidal behavior from him, according to Brown.
An autopsy will be conducted. His identity was not released.
However, Daniel W. Fish, 40, was booked Tuesday for third-degree rape of a child, second-degree rape of a child and indecent liberties after he was arrested by the Morton Police Department.
Police Chief Dan Mortensen said yesterday Fish was a Mossyrock resident.
Fish’s arrest was in connection with several incidents of sexual abuse of a female relative over the years that were recently reported to police, according to Mortensen. Most of the alleged incidents occurred when the victim was 14 or 15 years old and one when she was 12 or 13, the chief said.
Medical personnel were summoned by jail staff after the discovery. The inmate was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies were called to the jail just after 6:30 p.m., according to Brown.
It’s the third inmate suicide in the jail in the last four years, Brown said.
Brown said they don’t believe he hanged himself, he apparently strangled himself with the bedding, she said.
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This news story was updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday Aug. 26, 2010
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter