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Inmate at Whatcom County Jail dies after late January suicide attempt

The man had been incarcerated since September 2024

By Annie Todd Criminal Justice/Enterprise Reporter

A man who was incarcerated at the Whatcom County Jail in late January has died after a suicide attempt.

On Jan. 19, corrections deputies responded to a medical emergency on the first floor of the jail around 9:30 p.m., said Deb Slater, a spokesperson for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies conducting a routine walkthrough had discovered the 37-year-old Bellingham man, who had attempted to hang himself using a bedsheet while alone in his cell.

Deputies performed CPR until medical assistance arrived and the man was then transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Slater said.

At the time of the initial release, there was no information about age or gender of the inmate or why the person was jailed. The agency did not respond to a question about the frequency of checks on inmates saying “the incident was under investigation.”

Court documents revealed the man’s gender, age and address, as well as why he was being held at the jail.

While the investigation into the incident was transferred to the Bellingham Police Department, neither Slater nor a spokesperson for BPD could confirm to Cascadia Daily News if the man died in the days after the initial news release was sent.

The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to CDN that the man died on Jan. 22 in Whatcom County, a day after WCSO informed media about the suicide attempt. The ME’s Office has not yet released a cause of death.

The man’s pending court case has also been dismissed, according to court documents. He had been in custody of the jail since Sept. 24, 2024, after being charged with one count of DUI, one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle and one count of first-degree malicious mischief. His bail had been set at $40,000 or a $4,000 cash alternative.

Eluding and malicious mischief are felonies, according to state law.


The man had been arrested by the Blaine Police Department when he failed to stop for a traffic stop after a friend’s father had called police worried that the man was driving under the influence. During the pursuit, the man allegedly drove through three fences, hit two vehicles and crashed into the back of a home. He was arrested after a five-hour stand off with law enforcement and a “less lethal munition” was used against him to take him into custody.

In court documents motioning for the dismissal of the case on Jan. 27, Whatcom County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sophia Padgett wrote “per conversations with defense and the Whatcom County Jail staff, defendant is brain dead and unlikely to recover.”

The last time someone died in custody of the jail was in March 2024. In that case, Andre Haas, 28, died of a suspected opioid overdose.

In the initial news release about the suicide attempt, Sheriff Donnell Tanksley said, “Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and struggles faced by those in our care. We bear that in mind and will continue to prioritize the safety, well-being, and support of all those in our custody.”

BPD said on Jan. 21 that it did not have a timeline for when the investigation into the matter would conclude.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please dial or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.

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