Man awaiting trial commits suicide in jail

1/31/2001

UPPER SANDUSKY - An Arlington, Ohio, man who was in the Wyandot County jail awaiting trial was found dead in his cell, hanging by a bed sheet tied to the bars, Sheriff Michael Hetzel said.

A corrections officer discovered the body of Matthew A. Metzger, 18, at 11:59 p.m. Monday, less than an hour after an earlier check of inmates and their cells. Dr. Steven Farmer, Wyandot County coroner, pronounced him dead at the scene and ruled the death a suicide due to strangulation.

Mr. Metzger was arrested Jan. 21 following a county grand jury indictment on felony charges of burglary, theft, safe-cracking, and tampering with evidence.