New River Valley Regional Jail inmate dies from apparent suicide

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PULASKI COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A New River Valley Regional Jail inmate died last week of an apparent suicide, according to the jail's interim superintendent Charles Poff.

At about 11:29 a.m. on May 18, 37-year-old Michael Amos, of Henry County, was found hanging by a bed sheet in his cell. At the time of the incident, he was alone in his cell.

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Amos had been in jail four days following his arrest in Carroll County on charges of possession of a controlled substance, DUI, and reckless driving. He was arrested following a vehicle accident and he was being held in medical segregation due to minor injuries he received in the crash. He was being held on a $1,000 bond.

The Virginia State Police was asked to conduct an independent investigation into the death; however, initial investigation indicates it was a suicide.

Poff said that jail surveillance video recordings of the area where Amos was being held indicate the housing officer performed his checks of the inmate at the required intervals.

There was no indication Amos had intentions of harming himself, according to Poff.

The results of the State Police investigation is pending.