MONROE, N.C. — Byron J. Leach, who was arrested Oct. 8 in connection with an ongoing investigation into child sexual assault, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Union County Detention Center at 12:33 a.m. Oct. 9.
According to reports from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Leach was charged with “sex act–gov/priv inst employee.” In a press release, the sheriff’s office said the charges were related to the sexual assault of a child.
When members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force attempted to apprehend Leach, he reportedly jumped from a balcony and suffered an arm injury that required hospitalization.
Leach was booked into the Union County Detention Center at 6:54 p.m. Oct. 8 and was housed alone due to his injury.
During routine supervision checks, detention officers found Leach unresponsive from an apparent suicide attempt at 12:33 a.m. Officers and on-site medical staff began lifesaving measures until Union County EMS arrived.
After coordinated efforts, Leach’s pulse was restored, and he was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. Despite medical care, he later died from injuries sustained in the suicide attempt.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey has requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation lead the probe into Leach’s in-custody death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released at a later date.
