Orleans sheriff investigating apparent suicide of 15-year-old inmate

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Orleans Parish Sheriff' Department is investigating the apparent suicide of a 15-year-old inmate.

Jaquin Thomas, 15, was being housed here at the Orleans Parish Jail.

The sheriff's office says deputies found Thomas on responsive in his cell around 9:20 p.m. Monday.

Thomas was taken University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators believe Thomas used a mattress cover in his cell to hang himself.

The 15-year-old had been in jail since July on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.

According to our partners at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, arrest documents show Thomas and his 34-year-old uncle were arrested after police say they forced their way into a New Orleans East apartment on July 21.

According to the arrest warrant, it was the uncle who told the police his nephew fatally shot a man during scuffle.

The 15-year-old was due back in court October 23 while he awaited a possible grand jury indictment in this case.

The sheriff's office tells us Thomas' family has been notified of his death.

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