Inmate dead in Stock Island jail

Stock Island – An inmate at the Stock Island Detention Center died today of apparent suicide.

44 year old Leonardo Hernandez of Stock Island was found hanging from the top bunk of his cell in the Alpha Unit of the Stock Island Detention Center shortly after noon today. The Alpha Unit of the Detention Center is the high profile and disciplinary unit of the Detention Center. Hernandez was in a cell by himself. He was in the Alpha Unit due to multiple disciplinary issues since his arrest in November of 2011.

Hernandez had been in jail since November 8, 2011, being held on multiple charges including violation of a no contact order, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with license suspended – habitual offender and battery.

The Detention Deputy assigned to Unit Alpha was doing a regular check of the cell when he saw Hernandez with a sheet around his neck. He entered the cell and held Hernandez up, relieving pressure from his neck and called to a nurse who was in the unit doing her rounds. The nurse responded and untied the knot in the sheet. The two then performed CPR and called for other officers and for paramedics to respond.

Paramedics arrived and transported Hernandez to Lower Keys Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 1:02 p.m.

Sheriff’s detectives and investigators from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating the circumstances of Hernandez’ death. It is standard procedure for FDLE to become involved in any inmate death that does not appear to be of natural causes.

His body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.