Nicholas J. Salfelder
Nicholas J. Salfelder, 33, of LaGrangeville, was held at the Dutchess County Jail in New York. On the night of Thursday, November 15, 2018, a corrections officer found him with a bed sheet around his neck after he attempted to hang himself, and he was taken to a local hospital. He died the following evening, and Dutchess chief medical examiner Dr. Dennis Chute attributed his death to complications of asphyxia from hanging. Jail administrator Col. Michael J. Walters said Salfelder had been placed on closer watch for a suspected alcohol and drug dependency but was checked every 30 minutes rather than every 15, and said the jail would review the staff response, which the state Commission of Correction is also assessing. Walters said he was sorry for what happened and called it a sad situation for everyone, especially his family.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The medical examiner attributed the death to complications of asphyxia from hanging, and jail administrator Col. Michael J. Walters said Salfelder was checked every 30 minutes rather than the every-15-minute checks required for his closer watch.
Reported by: Col. Michael J. Walters, Dutchess County Jail administrator (the agency that held him); Dr. Dennis Chute, Dutchess County chief medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner).