UPDATE: Brian Mitchell found dead in cell in apparent suicide
Published at | Updated at
UPDATE:
Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde sent a news release confirming the suicide of murder defendant Brian J. Mitchell on Saturday, Dec 5.
According to the release, Mitchell was found dead at about 2 a.m. Saturday morning while officers were conducting rounds. Deputies responded to a cell where Mitchell was being housed by himself. It appeared as though Mitchell had committed suicide, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies gave him medical attention and called for the paramedics, had Mitchell had passed away, according to the news release.
Mitchell, 18, of Shelley, had been in the facility since Aug. 20.
Tri County investigators from Bingham and Madison Counties are conducting the death investigation. All releases on the incident will come from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said it would release more information when it becomes available.
ORIGINAL STORY:
IDAHO FALLS – The family of Brian Mitchell says the 18-year-old accused of murder died Friday, Dec. 4 in the Bonneville County Jail.
Mitchell was facing a second-degree murder charge after police say he stabbed 31-year-old Deraek Larson in Tautphaus Park on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Mike Mitchell, Brian’s father, posted a message on Facebook on Saturday morning that read:
“To my friends and family I thank you all for the support you have given me and my son Brian … It is with a heavy heart I that I must inform you that Brian passed away last night.”
Brian’s brother, Michael Mitchell, confirmed the news to EastIdahoNews.com.
When asked if he knew the cause of death, Michael responded, “I don’t know, man. I don’t know.”
Bryan Lovell, a spokesman for the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, confirms there was a suicide at the jail last night. Sheriff Paul Wilde is waiting to notify all family members before issuing a news release.
EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to law enforcement for more details. We will update this article when new information is received.
Stay with EastIdahoNews.com for the latest on this developing story.
RELATED CONTENT:
Brother of Idaho Falls Murder Suspect: He’s not a monster
Brian Mitchell’s father: ‘We’re sorry two lives have been ruined’
Murder victim’s mother: “He would never hurt anybody”
Police release identity of man killed in Tautphaus Park