Death Ruled As Asphyxia By Coroner
An autopsy to determine the cause of death of Brian Robert Gurchiek, 51, Columbia City, Monday morning in the Whitley County Jail, has concluded his death was a suicide, according to Randy Dellinger, Whitley County Coroner.
The cause of death was from asphyxia due to hanging.
Gurchiek, an inmate at the Whitley County Jail, was found at 1:30 .m. Monday unresponsive in his cell. He was the only occupant of the cell at the time. Resuscitation efforts were made by the jail staff and Whitley County Paramedics. After 40 minutes, he was pronounced dead at the scene.