Inmate who attempted suicide in Benton County jail has died
An inmate has died after a suicide attempt in a cell at the Benton County jail a week ago.
Samuel Madrigal-Santana, 34, was hospitalized in serious condition after being found in an observation cell about 6 p.m. on April 19. He strangled himself by tying his shirt to a sprinkler, said Benton County officials.
The “ligature resistant” sprinklers are designed to minimize or remove potential points where someone can tie a shoelace, cord or shirt to harm themselves. However, his injuries led to his death Thursday at the hospital, according to Benton County Sheriff Lt. Justin Gerry.
Madrigal-Santana was declared dead on Wednesday at 4:22 p.m., Benton County Coroner Bill Leach told the Tri-City Herald. He determined the cause of death was suicide by hanging.
Madrigal Santana was in jail most recently after claiming he was being hunted by a cartel and climbing on top of a patrol car.
He was being held alone in one of the special cells in the booking area that are used to monitor inmates with concerns of mental or physical health issues, said Sgt. Horacio Gonzalez.
A corrections officer checked on his condition less than 15 minutes before he was discovered unconscious. Corrections officers and medical staff began CPR and used a defibrillator in attempt to revive him.
Benton County sheriff’s detectives began investigating the incident about an hour after he was found.
“At this stage of the investigations, the injuries do not appear to show signs of outside influence,” Gonzalez said last week. “Detectives are continuing to review all circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Why he was in jail
Madrigal-Santana has spent much of the last two months in and out of Benton County jail on misdemeanor charges including intimidation, possession of a controlled substance and wrongful use of a telephone.
His latest problems started on April 16, when he stepped into traffic, Kennewick Commander Ryan Kelly told the Tri-City Herald. A car had to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting him.
He told the officer that a cartel was out to get him, Kelly said. He was taken to Trios Southridge Hospital before being brought to the Benton County jail for disorderly conduct.
The next day, he was taken to Trios again because he was complaining of a medical issue, Kelly said. At the time, he was being released from custody.
Madrigal-Santana followed corrections officers out of the hospital and climbed on top of their patrol car. He damaged the vehicle and was arrested for malicious mischief.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 3:37 PM.