NY Man Died While In Stamford Police Custody: Officials

STAMFORD, CT — A 36-year-old New York man died on Jan. 26 while in the custody of the Stamford Police Department, according to the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

The man was identified as Jamal Linton, of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Jan. 27 and determined the cause of death to be hanging and the manner of death to be suicide, a news release from the OIG said.

Linton was arrested on Jan. 26 and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation and violation of a protective order, the news release from the OIG said. Linton was being held on a $75,000 bond at SPD Headquarters pending an appearance in Stamford Superior Court on Monday.

On Jan. 26 at approximately 5:42 p.m., Linton was found unresponsive in his cell, the OIG said.

"It appeared that he had suffocated himself using a ligature," a news release said. "Stamford officers immediately provided first aid, and he was taken by police to Stamford Hospital. Linton was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m."

The OIG said an investigation into Linton's death is continuing.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the deceased during this extremely difficult time," said Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw in a news release Tuesday afternoon. "As a department committed to accountability and transparency, we want to assure the public that a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident is already underway. The Office of the Inspector General has been tasked with leading this investigation."

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.