NEWS

August 26, 2007
Inmate dies in suspected suicide at state prison

An inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison was found dead in his cell early Sunday morning in what officials have preliminarily classified as a suicide.

Robert James Knupp, 63, was found hanging in his cell from a blanket secured to a light fixture during routine checks at 12:10 a.m.

Attempts to resuscitate Knupp were not successful. He was transported to Fort Madison Community Hospital at 12:30 a.m. and declared dead at 1:05 a.m.

Information released through the Iowa Department of Corrections said the cause of death appears to be suicide, but an autopsy will make the final determination.

Knupp was awake and alert during cell checks at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

He was serving a life sentence from Des Moines County for first-degree kidnapping.

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