(WXYZ) — The family of 36-year old Gary Lowyer is demanding answers for how he was able to commit suicide over the weekend inside the Wayne County jail. Family members say they have been given different accounts and called 7 Action News for help. One version was that Lowyer tore up a bed sheet to use but it was taken away.
Was he then put on suicide watch? How did he die using a sheet to commit suicide?
Detroit Police Homicide Detectives are now an outside agency investigating the case. 7 Action News was told they have established a bed sheet was used but it is not clear if it is a second sheet. They have also established part of this case is on surveillance video. They have taken statements from some of the jail guards on duty, CPR was used to try to save Lowyer and a suicide note was found in the jail cell.
The family says Lowyer has been in trouble before years ago, so being behind bars was not new and he also has no history of depression.
In 2017, the 7 Investigators showed how the Wayne County jail had eight suicides over 13 months. Also, in the four years leading up to that, they paid out more than a million dollars to four families.
RELATED: Suicide surge at Wayne County jail 'should be ringing alarm bells all over'
The DPD and Wayne County internal investigations continue. Lowyer's family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral services.
