Died in jail or a lockup
Octavio Rodriguez
Octavio Rodriguez, 54, of Athens, died on December 9, 2002, while held at the Henderson County Jail. The Sheriff's Department said he died of strangulation with a homemade device in an apparent suicide. He was found about half an hour after the last cell check, and a news report said he showed no unusual behavior before his death. A state investigation was to follow, as is routine when someone dies in custody.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Sheriff's Department says he strangled himself with a homemade device in an apparent suicide, and says he was found about half an hour after guards' last cell check.
Reported by: Sheriff's Department (the agency that held him); news report.