Sheriff: Robbery Suspect Found Dead in Cell Hanged Self

A burglary suspect found dead in his Martinez jail cell on Friday afternoon apparently hanged himself, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

The inmate was identified as 63-year-old Michael James Graser of Pittsburg. He was booked into jail by Pittsburg police on suspicion of burglary and a probation violation on Oct. 8, sheriff’s officials said.

At 1:36 p.m. Friday, deputies found him hanging from a makeshift ligature in his cell. Graser was unresponsive and despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning but the official cause of death is pending toxicology results, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the death.

--Bay City News Service, photo via Shutterstock