Leon Hettinger
Leon Hettinger, 52, was the father of a daughter, Mercedes Silva, and the brother of Ralph Hettinger and Twila Likens; a friend, Robert Graham, remembered him, and his family shared his story with the Scioto Post. He died on May 25, 2024, in his cell at the Pickaway County Jail, a few hours after he was taken into custody following a high-speed chase on US-23. Pickaway County Sheriff Hafey described the death as a suicide and said it was the first suicide at the jail during his tenure. The sheriff's office said every person brought in receives a mental health evaluation and an offer of help if they express thoughts of self-harm.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. Sheriff Hafey described the death as a suicide, and the sheriff's office says every person brought in receives a mental health evaluation and an offer of help if they express thoughts of self-harm.
Reported by: Pickaway County Sheriff Hafey (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.