Man Hangs Self At County Jail

A Spokane man used his pants to fashion a noose and hanged himself in a Spokane County Jail holding cell Tuesday night, deputies said.

Kurtice L. Andrus, 38, died about 11 p.m. despite efforts by correctional officers and firefighters to revive him, said Deputy Dave Reagan, sheriff’s spokesman.

Detectives and jail officials are investigating the incident.

Police arrested Andrus on suspicion of malicious harassment and took him to jail about 9 p.m., authorities said. Andrus was belligerent and refused to cooperate with jail officers in the booking area, Reagan said.

He may have been drinking before his arrest, Reagan said.

He was put in a holding cell to cool off about 9:30 p.m., according to deputies.

About an hour later, a correctional officer passing the cell saw Andrus on the floor. His pants were tied around his neck, his face was blue and he wasn’t breathing, Reagan said.

Half an hour later, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Andrus had a history of arrests on domestic violence and disorderly conduct charges, according to court records.