HUNTINGTON COUNTY, IN- A Medicolegal Death Investigation was conducted at the Huntington County Jail by the Indiana State Police and the Huntington County Coroner’s Office early Tuesday morning. Huntington County Confinement officers requested emergency response by first responders and EMS reference an inmate that was discovered hanging in his one man cell. The inmate, Kurtis A. Guhl, aged 47, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was being held on several charges and was scheduled to begin trial Tuesday morning.
Confinement officers advised that they had conducted their cell checks 24 minutes prior to the discovery. During that time the decedent was observed on his bunk. At approximately 7:01 AM, the morning breakfast was being served and when officers opened the decedent’s cell door, they discovered him hanging from a top bunk. He was immediately removed from the ligature and CPR was initiated. First Responders and EMS arrived and assumed life saving measures but were unable to revive him.
A forensic autopsy was conducted at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne. It was determined the decedent died as a result of asphyxia due to hanging and the death is being ruled a suicide. The investigation into the death is ongoing by the Indiana State Police and the Huntington County Coroner’s Office. Foul play is not suspected in the death. The Huntington County Coroner’s Office extends their deepest sympathies to the Guhl family and friends.
The coroner’s office was assisted by the Indiana State Police, Huntington County Sheriff’s Office and Confinement Division, Huntington City Fire Department, Huntington Central Dispatch, and NEIFC.
