Michael Lee Stanfield
Michael Lee Stanfield, 60, of Manhattan, died on June 25, 2026, while held at the Riley County Jail. His daughters, Shania and Andrea Stanfield, describe him as a father who had mental health issues, and Andrea said she spoke with him the day before he died and the conversation was normal. Corrections officers found him unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m. A KBI agent told the family that evidence showed he hanged himself in a single-man cell, but the family says some details do not add up, has asked that evidence be preserved, and is awaiting the autopsy results. Police said there was no sign of criminal activity, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). A KBI agent told his daughters that evidence showed he hanged himself in a single-man cell, but the family says some details do not add up, has asked that evidence be preserved, and is awaiting the autopsy results.
Reported by: Kansas Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); Michael Lee Stanfield's daughters (family or their lawyers).