Man in Custody Dies at Hollywood Police Station

A 31-one-year old robbery suspect committed suicide last night at the LAPD's Hollywood Division jail facility, according to police in a released statement. During routine cell checks that take place every half hour on a schedule, Donald McMasters was dead around 10:45 p.m. after apparently hanging himself. He was arrested around 3:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

According to Officer Aguirre, when suspects are detained, shoe laces, belts and other objects that can be used for inflicting pain or death are not permitted inside the jail cell. However, Aguirre said bedding has been used in the past by inmates to hang themselves although details specific to how McMasters killed himself have not been released. Aguirre did say that he showed no suicidal signs, therefore, the sheets on his bed were left as is. Suspects detained that show suicidal signs are monitored more closely and are sometimes only given a mattress with no sheets.

Photo by dewet via Flickr