NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A man found dead in his jail cell early Saturday morning apparently committed suicide, according to an autopsy conducted by the Cerro Gordo County medical examiner.

Monday, May 21, 2001

NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A man found dead in his jail cell early Saturday morning apparently committed suicide, according to an autopsy conducted by the Cerro Gordo County medical examiner.

Dr. David Sloan said the prisoner, Roger Stock, age 47, of Lake Mills, had died of strangulation sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Foul play has been ruled out in a preliminary report, but the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is still examining the incident.

Stock, who was being held on $38,500 bond for various methamphetamine charges, was found hanging in his cell by a Worth County jailer at 2 a.m., said Worth County Sheriff David Gentz.

Stock had been in jail for 50 days and was awaiting trial, said jail administrator Mike Ingersoll. A final report won’t be filed for at least another week, he said.

Stock was arrested March 30 with six other north Iowans in a methamphetamine bust. He was charged with aiding and abetting, conspiracy to manufacture and possession of methamphetamine, along with charges of child endangerment.