Whitley Co. inmate death ruled a suicide

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WANE) – Whitley County Coroner Randy Dellinger has determined following an autopsy that an inmate who was found unconscious in his cell at the Whitley County Jail early Monday morning died from asphyxia due to hanging.

His death has been ruled a suicide.

Jail confinement officers called for EMS after finding Brian R. Gurchiek, 51, Columbia City, during a routine check at around 1:30 a.m., according to the Indiana State Police. The officers tried to revive Gurchiek until medical personnel arrived. He was pronounced dead after medics had worked for about 40 minutes to save his life.

Gurchiek had been arrested on April 16 on a charge of residential entry. He had been scheduled to make a court appearance Monday afternoon.

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department made a request to have Indiana State Police conduct an investigation into Gurchiek’s death.