SUFFIELD — An inmate at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution who was awaiting trial on rape charges appears to have hanged himself in his cell on Monday night, according to the Department of Correction.
The inmate, identified as 42-year-old Robert Chesters of Lebanon, tied one end of an extension cord around his neck and the other end to his bunk bed.
He was alone in his cell at the time, the DOC said.
The medical examiner with determine the cause and manner of death. The DOC and state police are investigating.
Prison staff found Chesters around 8:31 p.m. Monday. Medical staff immediately initiated emergency life-saving measures. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m., DOC said.
Chesters was awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree sexual assault. He was in custody with bail set at $500,000.
By Hilda Muñoz, Hartford Courant