Officials: Mendocino County Jail inmate hanged himself with laundry bag

A 36-year-old inmate who died two months ago at the Mendocino County Jail committed suicide by hanging himself with a laundry bag, according to autopsy results released Thursday.

Shane Murphy of Cleone died just before midnight Oct. 8. Sheriff’s officials at the time said it appeared the man took his own life, but they withheld details until the results of a toxicology test were returned and the autopsy report was finalized.

In a press release Thursday, Lt. John Bednar said Murphy wrapped the mesh laundry bag around his neck and hanged himself from a bunk in the cell. Two inmates in a cell with Murphy woke up, pulled Murphy down, called for jail staff and tried life-saving measures, Bednar said. Murphy was pronounced dead after paramedics arrived.

Murphy had been arrested two days before his death by Fort Bragg police on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and being under the influence, officials said.