Report: McClard hanged himself

Authorities say 17-year-old inmate and Jackson native Jonathan McClard, who was found dead in his jail cell Friday, committed suicide.

McClard apparently hanged himself while he was being held in a correctional facility in Bonne Terre, according to a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Sunday. The St. Louis County medical examiner's office performed an autopsy with initial results indicating he committed suicide, Jim Copeland, the St. Francois County coroner told the Post-Dispatch.

McClard was set to be transferred to join the adult prison population after turning 17 on Jan. 1. He was serving a 30-year sentence for shooting another teen at a car wash in Jackson on July 10.

In a recent interview with the Southeast Missourian, McClard said he was nervous about being transferred to the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo.

He described the prison as being "about the worst there is."

Daniel McClard of Jackson, Jonathan McClard's father, said he expects many questions will come about the hours and days leading up to his son's death.

"We do not want to speculate about matters, rather ensure that a thorough and accurate investigation is conducted," he read from a written statement, according to the Post-Dispatch. "In the meantime, the McClard family will lean heavily on each other and our close friends as we seek God's strength to carry on."

Daniel McClard told the paper his son's death was the last in a series of tragedies.

"We respect the public's interest in a tragedy of this nature," his statement said. "However, now is the time to grieve the loss of our son and prepare to lay him to rest."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.