A Sacramento County Jail inmate was found dead in his cell Monday after apparently hanging himself.
The 34-year-old man was identified in Sacramento County Coroner's online records as Israel Mendoza of Chowchilla. He had been taken into custody earlier in the day and was booked into jail for public intoxication, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
Shortly before noon, a deputy conducting a visual inspection of the holding cell found the victim hanging with a piece of clothing around his neck. Officials said it appeared he had fashioned the piece of clothing into a ligature around his neck.
Deputies immediately entered the cell and removed the item of clothing. Medical staff at the jail along with other jail staff members attempted to perform life-saving measures until outside emergency medical personnel arrived. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Sheriff's Department will conduct an inmate death investigation in accordance with department procedures and state laws, officials said. The Sacramento County Coroner's office will determine the cause of death and forward its findings.
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