News

SSCF inmate reportedly commits suicide

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Vermont State Police report an inmate at the Southern State Correctional Facility has committed suicide.

On Friday, March 30, at approximately 7:44 p.m., the Southern State Correctional Facility advised the Vermont State Police of the suicide of inmate Nicholas Lynch, 37. 

At this time a joint investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police and the Office of the Medical Examiner, with the assistance of the Southern State Correctional Facility staff members ensued. 

Investigation revealed that during the day, Lynch met with correctional officers and expressed concerned about getting involved with “bad people in the outside world.”  At this time, the Southern State Correctional Facility’s mental health staff intervened.

At his request, Lynch was ultimately placed in single-person cell in a segregated unit within the facility. Lynch was later discovered by officers to have hanged himself. 

Based on evidence at the scene, interviews conducted and footage secured from surveillance video of the common area of the unit, there is no suspicion of foul play. As dictated by state protocol involving all correctional facility deaths, an autopsy was ordered.

 Lynch had been incarcerated in the facility since February.

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