Inmate kills self at Madera County jail

A man has killed himself in the Madera County jail, the Madera County Sheriff’s Department said.

Benjamin V. Garcia, 21, of Madera, used a bedsheet to hang himself May 31.

Garcia was arrested the same day on a warrant for violation of probation, robbery, vandalism and battery on a peace officer, the sheriff’s department said.

No additional details have been made public.

The sheriff’s department referred questions to the Madera County Department of Corrections, which operates the jail independently of the sheriff’s department.

Department of Corrections director Manuel Perez said the sheriff’s department is leading the investigation. He said he could not provide additional information until he was advised by the county counsel’s office.

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Inmate kills self at Madera County jail."