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HURRICANE — An inmate at Purgatory Correctional Facility died from injuries sustained during an alleged suicide attempt, according to a press release issued by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 7 around 6 p.m., an inmate at the jail near Hurricane was "found inside his jail cell in distress from an apparent suicide attempt," the news release said.
Deputies and medical staff within the jail rendered life-saving efforts, Sgt. Lucas Allred said in the statement. Emergency personnel from nearby Hurricane also responded to assist. Medical personnel could not revive the inmate, who was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m.
The sheriff's office identified the deceased as Matt Mortensen, 34. As per the Washington County Sheriff's Office protocol regarding in-custody deaths, the Washington County Critical Incident Task Force responded to conduct the investigation.
