Prisoner found Hanged in Jail Cell

November 20, 2006

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are investigating the death of Kirk Horn, 40, who was found hanged in a holding cell at the Los Angeles City Valley Jail Facility in Van Nuys on November 17, 2006.

Horn had been arrested for a domestic-violence-related battery at 1 A.M. by officers assigned to the West Valley Police Station. Though Horn appeared agitated during his arrest, no force was necessary to detain him.

Jailers placed Horn in a holding cell and conducted routine inspections every 30 minutes, as they do for all arrestees. During the inspection at 4:25 A.M., jailers found Horn hanging by his T-shirt from the bunk bed. They performed emergency medical treatment and transported him to Valley Presbyterian Hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

Force Investigation Division is investigating the incident.