A person held at Pasquotank Correctional Institution died Friday in what authorities believe was a suicide.
According to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Tyrus Sanders, 49, was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 8:30 p.m. Prison staff attempted life-saving measures, but local emergency medical services pronounced him dead at 8:52 p.m.
Law enforcement and the state medical examiner have begun investigations into the death, as is standard procedure when someone dies while in custody. The Department of Adult Correction stated it is fully cooperating with these investigations and has also started its own internal review.
Sanders had been convicted in July on charges related to being a habitual felon and drug trafficking in Catawba County. His projected release date had been set for 2041.
“Law enforcement and the state medical examiner are investigating, which is required in the death of someone in custody. The NC Department of Adult Correction is cooperating fully with those investigations and is conducting its own.”
