Hernando County Inmate Commits Suicide

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the suicide of an inmate at the Hernando County Detention Center that happened Tuesday evening at approximately 7:10 p.m.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office says the detention center staff immediately requested fire rescue assistance and performed C.P.R. in an effort to resuscitate 26-year-old Justin Michael Simonds. When fire rescue arrived, Simonds was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead.

Major Case and Forensic Science personnel were called to the scene to investigate the death.

As per standard protocol, an Internal Affairs investigation will commence to ensure that all policies and procedures were adhered to at the Detention Center.

Next of kin was notified at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Deputies say no one other than the inmate was injured and that the investigation is on-going.