Petaluma Murder Suspect Hangs Self In County Jail

A Petaluma murder suspect has been identified as the Sonoma County Jail inmate who apparently committed suicide Sunday morning, a county sheriff’s sergeant said.

The inmate was identified as 37-year-old Mikol Wayne Stewart of Santa Rosa.

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He was discovered unresponsive hanging in his cell around 10:20 a.m. and was pronounced dead by medical personnel at 10:35 a.m., sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

Correctional deputies cut Stewart down and gave first aid until fire and ambulance personnel arrived, sheriff’s officials said.

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An autopsy determined the death was consistent with suicide by hanging, Focha said.

Petaluma police arrested Stewart on Sept. 11 for the shooting death of 49-year-old Arturo Hinojosa Jr., of Petaluma, in a residence in the 100 block of Suncrest Hill Drive on Sept. 10.

Stewart was charged with first-degree murder, burglary and being armed with a .45-caliber gun. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Thursday.

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Stewart had prior convictions for felony and misdemeanor spousal batteries and misdemeanor DUIs, according to Sonoma County Superior Court records.

--Bay City News