The Orlando Sentinel
OCALA, Fla. — A Marion County Jail inmate was found dead Thursday morning, hanging from the back corner of his bunk bed by his jail-issued pants, authorities said.
Officials found Vito Joseph Loiacono, 46, of Belleview about 3 a.m.
Loiacono had been incarcerated since February 2006 after he was arrested on a warrant for homicide, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigating officers say they learned that Loiacono was worried about receiving a life sentence and told a cellmate that he would commit suicide if he was sent to state prison.
That information was never passed on to corrections staff, Marion sheriff’s spokeswoman Sue Livoti said. Authorities say Loiacono’s death appears to be a suicide.
So far, no foul play is suspected. Still, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will continue to investigate the death. An autopsy will be scheduled and the results reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office, Livoti said.
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