Coroner: Inmate dead after hanging himself in jail

The suspect in a hostage situation near Miner, Missouri, has committed suicide.

Gary Ray Corder Jr., 31, was pronounced dead Tuesday at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Scott County Coroner Scott Amick confirmed Wednesday.

A news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Office said the inmate was found unconscious Tuesday in what appeared to be an attempted suicide and was taken to the hospital. Amick said Corder had hanged himself.

Corder had appeared in court Tuesday morning via video and waived formal arraignment on charges related to the hostage situation, online court records show.

He had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing later this month.

He had been charged with one felony count each of kidnapping, facilitating a felony, inflicting injury or terrorizing; armed criminal action; and forgery.

He also faced a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment after allegedly taking a woman hostage Aug. 3 inside a room at the Super 8 in Miner.

At the time, Corder already was wanted on a Scott County warrant for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter had no further comment on Corder's death.

The case is being investigated jointly by the Scott County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

131 S. New Madrid Street Benton, MO 63736

211 Saint Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701