***UPDATE*** 2/15/21 9:46 A.M.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood has identified the inmate found hanging in his cell at the Peoria County Jail as 59-year-old Michael Dyer of Decatur.
Harwood said Dyer died of self-inflicted asphyxiation. He was discovered around 1:15 a.m.
“When they located Mr. Dyer hanging, they immediately cut him down and started life-saving efforts, but they were unsuccessful,” said Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell.
Dyer had been arrested by Peoria Police on Jan. 26 for first degree murder.
Illinois State Police are handling an investigation.
“That’s part of the new legislation that requires we have a third party investigate any in-custody deaths,” Asbell said.
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PEORIA, Ill. – A male Peoria County Jail inmate was found in the wee hours of Sunday morning hanging dead in his cell.
Sheriff Brian Asbell said this occurred around 1:15 in a general population cell.
Once the inmate’s body was brought back to ground level, lifesaving efforts began, but were ultimately futile.
An investigation was being conducted by the Illinois State Police.
Cause of death and identity of the deceased was being withheld, pending an autopsy by County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
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PEORIA, Ill. — A male Peoria County Jail inmate was found in the wee hours of Sunday morning hanging dead in his cell.
Sheriff Brian Asbell said this occurred around 1:15 in a general population cell.
Once the inmate’s body was brought back to ground level, lifesaving efforts began, but were ultimately futile.
An investigation was being conducted by the Illinois State Police.
Cause of death and identity of the deceased was being withheld, pending an autopsy by County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
