SLED Investigating Death at the Pickens County Detention Center

From the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office:

At approximately 5:45 AM Tuesday morning, an inmate housed at the Pickens County Detention Center was found unresponsive during a routine check by detention personnel. The inmate was found hanging from a bedsheet. Detention staff immediately cut the sheet, lowed the inmate, and rendered aid, attempting life-saving measures. EMS was notified; however, efforts to revive the inmate were unsuccessful. The inmate was housed alone in a secured cell at the time of the incident. The deceased was identified as Michael Cruse, a 51-year-old man from Easley, by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.

The State Law Enforcement Division was notified and has been asked to investigate the incident along with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.