An investigation is underway after a Marion County Jail inmate died Sunday evening in what authorities believe was an apparent suicide attempt.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps said 56-year-old Bryan Hester of Salem was found unresponsive in his jail cell. Correctional officers and emergency responders immediately began life-saving measures, but Hester was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m. by Marion County Coroner Claude Howell.
In accordance with standard protocol, the Illinois State Police have been called in to conduct an independent investigation into the death.
Sheriff Cripps said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.