Solano inmate found hanging in cell

A Solano County Jail inmate who was found hanging from a bed sheet in his cell early Tuesday morning has died, a sheriff’s office spokesman said.

Douglas Tuttle, 58, of Vacaville, was pronounced dead just after 1:30 a.m., less than a half hour after he was discovered by a correctional officer, Solano County sheriff’s Deputy Daryl Snedeker said.

Tuttle was in custody since Nov. 23 and had been on mental health observation, Snedeker said. He was examined Monday by medical and psychiatric personnel and cleared for placement in a cell by himself, Snedeker said.

Jail staff observed him around 11 p.m. Monday during a laundry exchange and found no indication of any problems, Snedeker said. During a cell check at 12:09 a.m. today Tuttle was lying in his bunk and seemed fine, but he was found hanging from the sheet at 1:06 a.m., Snedeker said.

Medical personnel made life-saving efforts immediately and continued until a Medic Ambulance crew arrived and continued the efforts, Snedeker said. The death remains under investigation, Snedeker said.