Forsyth County Man Found Dead In Atlanta Jail

ATLANTA, GA — The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of a Forsyth County man who was found hanging inside his cell over the weekend.

Shannon Thompson, 40, died from an apparent suicide Saturday afternoon, said sheriff's office spokesperson Tracy Flanagan.

Thompson, who has an Alpharetta mailing address in southern Forsyth, was discovered around 2:49 p.m. Aug. 12 by his cellmate, who notified authorities.

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Thompson was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Flanagan said Thompson was arrested by Alpharetta Police on Tuesday, Aug. 8 and charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of heroin.

While it appears Thompson died from a suicide, Flanagan said the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office will formally determine the cause of death.

Patch's Kristal Dixon contributed to this report.

Photo via Fulton County Jail