Inmate found dead in cell
By John Joyce
Published in News on May 20, 2015 1:46 PM
KENANSVILLE -- An investigation is being conducted into the death of a Duplin County Jail inmate found hanging in his jail cell Tuesday.
No foul play is suspected.
Anthony Ray Baker, 36, was found hanging in the shower of his jail cell by his cell mate at 12:45 a.m., a Duplin County Sheriff's Office press release said.
The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate Baker's death.
"I requested (an investigation) as soon as I was notified," Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace said.
Jail personnel responded and attempted CPR while Duplin County EMS was en route. Paramedics soon arrived, but were unable to revive Baker. He was pronounced dead on scene.
Much of what transpired was captured by security cameras.
"You can see (Baker) get up out of his bunk and go into the shower," Wallace said.
For privacy reasons, there are no cameras in the shower, but a short time later Baker's cell mate went in and found him, he said.
It is standard for the SBI to handle these kinds of investigations, the press release said.
The state agency will turn over it's findings to District Attorney Ernie Lee once the investigation is complete.
Wallace said the final call will be up to the SBI and the district attorney, but Baker's death will likely be ruled a suicide.
"The autopsy is being conducted today at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville," he said.
"The SBI and the D.A. will then make that call."
Baker, in the jail since Thursday on charges of manufacturing, possessing and distributing methamphetamines and resisting an officer, was being held under a $135,000 secured bond. He was due to appear in Duplin County District Court June 12.