State investigating death of Florida Keys inmate in an apparent suicide, police say

State law enforcement officials are investigating an inmate’s death by apparent suicide at the Monroe County jail on Stock Island.

“There was an apparent suicide at the Key West jail Sunday night,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Linhardt in an email Monday morning. “Per policy, the sheriff asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate.”

On Wednesday, Linhardt identified the inmate as Joseph Michael Brown 34, who had been arrested Dec. 11 in Key West on a trespassing charge.

“The case began at approximately 10:10 p.m. on Sunday,” Linhardt said.

Linhardt said he couldn’t comment further and referred all questions to FDLE.

“At the request of MCSO, FDLE is investigating a death,” said FDLE spokeswoman Jessica Cary. “Our investigation is active and I cannot provide any other information at this time.”

The jail on Stock Island has about 430 inmates.

If you need help, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255.

This story was originally published December 14, 2020 at 11:03 AM.

Gwen Filosa

Miami Herald

Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. She graduated from Indiana University.