State probes death at jail

A friend of the inmate's said she had been depressed.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Ohio officials are investigating the death of a 42-year-old woman in the city jail.
Diane L. Nail of Struthers was found dead in the women's cellblock around 6:45 p.m. Saturday after having been arrested about six hours earlier, police said. A spokesman for the Mahoning County coroner's office said a preliminary investigation indicates she hanged herself with a telephone cord. Police gave addresses for her on Euclid Avenue and Fifth Street.
The case has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, police said. A ruling on the cause of death is pending with the coroner's office.
Coroner's Investigator Richard Jamrozik said the death is being investigated as a suicide, and autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.
Jamrozik said Nail used the cord from a pay phone in the cell range: "She wrapped it around her neck twice, and then sat down. She asphyxiated herself in a partially seated position."
Discovery of body
Police Chief Robert Norris said Nail's body was discovered when guards brought dinner to the inmates. Norris said that inmates are usually checked on every hour and that Nail gave the guards no indication she would attempt suicide.
Nail was arrested at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at 17 Euclid St. on a warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of violating a temporary protection order.
Struthers Detective Jeff Pantall said a friend of Nail's told authorities that Nail was depressed. Nail was not on suicide watch at the jail, officials said.
Pantall said Nail's cellmate was asleep at the time of the death.
spoulton@vindy.com