By JIM MEYER – Staff writer
The November death of a Venango County jail inmate has been determined to be a suicide with no else involved, District Attorney Shawn White said Friday.
Scott Strawbridge, 42, of 792 Old Mercer Road, died at about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the jail.
White said the investigation was conducted by his office in conjunction with the Franklin Police Department.
Another inmate told the newspaper at the time that Strawbridge was found hanging from his bunk.
White said the purpose of the investigation was to determine whether anyone else was involved.
“My determination is that nobody else is responsible for this death,” White said.
The investigation involved interviewing witnesses at the jail and warden Jeffrey Ruditis, as well as taking input from Rugh, White said.
Strawbridge had been jailed Nov. 16 on multiple felony charges related to operating a meth lab and manufacturing controlled substances and misdemeanor charges of simple assault and terroristic threats.
Commissioner Tim Brooks had said the jail has standard procedures in place for prisoners showing signs of distress.
If any prisoner shows signs of suicidal tendencies, Brooks explained they are placed in 24/7 observation and that prisoners showing signs of addiction withdrawal are taken to a hospital emergency room for evaluation.
