An inmate at the Union County Detention Center, Byron J. Leach, was found unresponsive in his cell and later died from what appeared to be a suicide attempt. Detention officers and medical staff began lifesaving measures immediately, and EMS personnel responded, but Leach was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Leach had been arrested the previous day after U.S. Marshals Task Force members served warrants connected to a child sexual assault investigation by the Marshville Police Department. He sustained an arm injury while attempting to evade arrest, was treated at a hospital, and booked into custody on Wednesday last week at 6:54 p.m. Due to his injury, he was placed in a solitary cell, where the incident occurred less than a day later.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) is conducting an independent investigation at the request of Sheriff Eddie Cathey. The Union County Sheriff's Office expressed condolences to Leach’s family and stated that more information will be released as the investigation continues.
