Inmate found hanging in Holding Center

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Another inmate was found hanging at the Erie County Holding Center and it is now confirmed that they have died in an apparent suicide.

This makes the fourth suicide attempt in less than three months. It's the third death in three months. The Sheriff's office is not doing any interviews as they say this is still under investigation.

At this time, the NY State Division of Criminal Justice Services tells News 4 that 29-year-old Jeremy Kiekbush of Lockport was found at 12:10 Tuesday afternoon hanging in his cell by a twisted bed sheet. He was rushed to ECMC unresponsive and we can now confirm he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Sheriff's office has not returned our calls for the last four hours, but the NY State Division of Criminal Justice Services confirms the suicide attempt.

Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Maria Whyte said, "I'm just sick. Just sick as a member of this community over this situation and as a lawmaker, I'm outraged and as a member of this community, I'm outraged! How could the county attorney two days ago, just two days ago, come before the committee in a public setting and indicate that the jail was a best practice model for suicide prevention?"

"I feel embarrassed. I feel impotent. I feel that I, as a county legislator, cannot guarantee those people who I represent that have been in the Holding Center for any reason, especially those that might be drug addicted, especially those that might have medical trauma, I cannot guarantee them that they will be in safe environment," said Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant.

Jeremy Kiekbush is only 29-years-old. He had only been in the Holding Center for one night. He was arrested Monday night for allegedly attempting to run down some police officers up in Niagara County during a chase. It was put out the night he was arrested that he was possibly a threat to himself and to others. A police official tells News 4 that the Erie County Holding Center officials were never told that he was a threat to himself.

We will continue investigating this matter and bring you the latest on the 10 and 11 o'clock news.