On Tuesday, March 11, a report from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office revealed that on Monday, March 10,  just after 3:40 a.m., an inmate who had been held in the county jail in downtown High Point died as a result of an in-custody suicide attempt six days before ultimately succumbing.

Justin Chambers passed away at High Point Medical Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital due to complications from his suicide attempt in which he tried to hang himself at the Guilford County Detention Center in High Point on Tuesday, March 4.

That evening, at about 7:45 p.m., detention officers in the High Point Jail found Chambers – a 37-year-old white male – unresponsive in his cell.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the detention officers who discovered Chambers immediately contacted Emergency Medical Services and began administering CPR and other medical aid.

Wellpath Medical Staff and the officers successfully restored the victim’s pulse before Guilford County EMS took Chambers to High Point Medical Center for further treatment.

At the time of his suicide attempt, Chambers was being held on a $5,050 secured bond for the following charges:

  • Failure to Appear on a Misdemeanor
  • Habitual Larceny
  • Second-Degree Trespass

Chambers’ next of kin has been contacted and informed of his death.

A March 11 statement from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reads: “The Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to Mr. Chambers’ family and loved ones during this difficult time. We recognize the importance of mental health support in Detention Centers and remain committed to providing resources for those in need.”

In accordance with the Sheriff’s Office’s Policies and Procedures, this incident is now under internal review by both the Sheriff’s Office’s Professional Standards Division and its Major Crimes Investigative Unit.

The statement adds, “Due to the ongoing investigations, North Carolina statutes limit the amount of additional information that can be provided at this time.”

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