Joe Frank Sampedro
Joe Frank Sampedro, 28, of Columbia, died on Friday, January 6, 2006, in his cell at the Richland County jail, where he was found hanging from a sheet. Coroner Gary Watts said Sampedro had been joking with jail staff before he was found and had no known history of mental illness, and officials said there was no sign he was suicidal. The death is being reviewed closely because of a similar hanging at the same jail earlier in 2005.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. Richland County officials and coroner Gary Watts say he hanged himself from a sheet in his cell, and the coroner said he had been joking with jail staff before he was found.
Reported by: Richland County officials (the agency that held him); coroner Gary Watts (medical examiner or coroner).