Dead inmate identified

By Emily Shockley
Friday, July 30, 2010

Octavio Vargas-Herrera was found dead just before midnight Friday at the Mesa County Jail, according to a press release from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department.

Vargas-Herrera hanged himself in his cell, according to the release. He was found by a detention deputy, who called for help and began CPR. Deputies and members of the Grand Junction Fire Department were not able to revive Vargas-Herrera.

The last time Vargas-Herrera was check on was 27 minutes before he was found dead, according to the release. He was in jail on charges of first degree murder and a federal immigration hold.

There have been six suicides since the jail opened in 1992, according to the sheriff’s department.