Inmate, 20, dies in Fayetteville jail

FAYETTEVILLE -- A man apparently committed suicide in the Washington County jail, the sheriff's office said.

Jeremy Laconsello, 20, was found dead by jail officers about 5 a.m. Monday with a towel tied around his neck and to the top bunk of a bed, according to a news release from the office. Foul play isn't suspected, Sheriff Tim Helder said.

Laconsello's two cellmates were asleep at the time, office spokesman Kelly Cantrell said. Hourly checks missed Laconsello's death because a blanket was pulled over his head and neck "like a curtain," she said.

An internal investigation, standard procedure after a death in custody, will be done to see if all rules were followed, Cantrell said. Video isn't available because the sleeping cells don't have cameras, she said. Laconsello's body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory to determine the cause of death.

Laconsello was arrested in June in connection with felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Springdale police said they found a methamphetamine pipe in a vehicle he was using.

Metro on 08/24/2014

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