Inmate John Dent Dies by Suicide in Guadalupe County Jail

John Douglas Dent was booked into the Guadalupe County Jail on March 23, 2024. He allegedly made suicidal statements at some point during his incarceration, and he exhibited mental health problems. Tragically, Mr. Dent was found hanging from the door of single-occupancy cell D-14 on April 26, 2025, and was pronounced deceased at 2:43 a.m. that day. Mr. Dent was only 49 years old.

The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Dent on May 9, 2025. The report indicates that lifesaving measures were initiated, and Mr. Dent was transported by ambulance to Guadalupe Regional Medical Center before his death occurred.

The address of Guadalupe County Jail is 2615 N Guadalupe Street in Seguin, Texas 78155. The jail has a bed capacity of 598.

A Second Alleged Inmate Suicide Occurs Within 3 Weeks in a Georgia Jail

In May 5, 2025, news, a second alleged suicide within three weeks occurred in Coweta County Jail in Newnan GA. Alan Curtis Caswell was 41 years old when he was discovered deceased on Sunday morning, May 4. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mr. Caswell was discovered in his cell in an unresponsive state. He was hanging by his neck from a bedsheet.

A similar tragedy allegedly occurred on April 18, 2025. Tyler Rue, 35, was also discovered unresponsive with a bedsheet around his neck. He was transported to Piedmont Newnan Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The address of Coweta County Jail is 560 Greison Trail, Newnan, GA 30263.

How Common are Inmate Suicides in U.S. Jails?

The rate of suicide in county and municipal jails is significantly higher than in prisons and in the outside world. Suicide is the leading cause of death in local jails, and it is crucial for jail staff to be vigilant about suicide prevention. Hanging is by far the most common means by which inmates commit suicide. Many different items have been used as a ligature for hanging, including clothing, phone cords, television cords, trash bags, and laundry bags.

All jail staff in Texas jails and likely in all U.S. jails are required to have annual training in suicide prevention. Among the pertinent information that can help identify suicidal inmates is what types of statements can be suggestive of suicidal ideations. Timing alone is an indicator that an inmate is potentially at risk because it is normal for about 24% of jail suicides within a year to occur within the first 24 hours of incarceration.

Need Support After a Loved One Was Neglected in Jail?

Being jailed should never mean being denied basic human rights. When individuals are harmed due to inadequate medical care or other forms of mistreatment behind bars, it’s critical to hold those in charge accountable.

If someone you love died while in custody at a county or municipal jail and you suspect abuse or neglect played a role, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is prepared to help. Our firm has significant experience with cases involving in-custody deaths, including those involving suicide and medical neglect.

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