BROWNSTOWN — A thorough investigation into the in-custody death of a Jackson County Jail inmate in July has concluded with no findings of criminal wrongdoing, foul play, or neglect by jail personnel.
Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Lynsey N. Fleetwood officially closed the criminal review into the death of 44-year-old Richard Earl Cox II, confirming that Cox died by suicide and that jail staff acted appropriately before and during the emergency.
Following the July 25 incident, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department requested an independent investigation by the Indiana State Police. According to investigative reports and a forensic autopsy conducted by the Marion County Coroner’s Office, Cox used jail-issued clothing to hang himself while housed alone in a cell in D-Pod.
The autopsy determined the official cause of death to be anoxic brain injury resulting from hanging, with the manner of death ruled a suicide.
Key findings from the state police investigation revealed that Cox had taken deliberate, premeditated steps prior to the incident:
- Routine Cell Check: A corrections officer visually inspected Cox’s cell roughly 30 minutes before he was found. Cox was awake, responsive, and waved to the officer, displaying no signs of distress or emergency.
- Premeditation: Investigators discovered handwritten suicide notes inside Cox’s cell. Evidence also revealed Cox had privately questioned another inmate about the timing and frequency of routine cell checks—information that was not reported to jail staff prior to the event.
- Prior Assessment: During a medical and mental health screening at the jail on July 11, Cox denied experiencing suicidal thoughts, having a history of mental health struggles, or prior suicide attempts.
When jail staff discovered Cox approximately 30 minutes after the routine walk-through, officers immediately removed the makeshift ligature and began continuous lifesaving measures, including CPR, administering oxygen, and deploying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Emergency medical services arrived and achieved a return of spontaneous circulation. Cox was initially transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour before being transferred to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he later succumbed to severe brain injuries and was declared brain dead.
In her final determination, Prosecutor Fleetwood emphasized that evidence confirmed jail employees did not ignore known risks or contribute to the tragedy.
“The evidence is clear: there was no criminal wrongdoing by the Jackson County Jail or its personnel,” Fleetwood stated. “The jail staff acted appropriately, conducted a routine check during which Mr. Cox was alive and responsive, and, upon discovering him in distress, immediately began lifesaving measures and summoned additional assistance.”
With the state police investigation and prosecutorial review complete, officials confirmed no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the incident.
