January 19, 2022
Jim Evancho
This morning at approximately 10:40 a white, female, woman, age approximately 56, was located deceased, behind the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office near the Investigations Unit. Officers from the Piedmont Police Department were leaving the Sheriff’s Office when they drove up on a woman lying on the driveway leaving the complex. The officers got out of their vehicle and learned that the woman had been shot in the head and it appeared to be self-inflicted.
Sheriff Matthew Wade stated the woman had come to the Investigations Unit to speak to an investigator about possible identity theft. The woman and the Investigator knew each other from a previous case dating back to 2018 when she was a victim of identity theft as well. Sheriff Wade went on to say that the woman walked into the lobby of the investigation’s unit and briefly spoke to the investigator when she realized her ride was leaving the parking lot. She immediately walked back outside and attempted to get the drivers attention with no luck. She then picked up her phone and made a phone call, turned and waved towards the investigator indicating that she was leaving. Sheriff Wade stated that a review of the surveillance tapes from the camera’s on the property resulted in seeing the woman, still on the phone, walking along the driveway behind the building and producing a handgun and shooting herself. “We are not releasing the name of the woman at this time to ensure family members are notified first” stated Wade.
Sheriff Wade explained that normally they do not make statements regarding suicides that they investigate but he wanted to be completely transparent due to this happening on County Jail property. He reiterated that the woman was not under any type of investigation and was only there to speak to investigators about a possible identity theft crime where she may be the victim.
Sheriff Wade said the Investigator involved was “deeply saddened by the event” and was shocked that it happened. He also wanted it to be known that the woman was not a suspect in any case and had never been an inmate at the Calhoun County Jail. “Every life is precious” stated Sheriff Wade, “We must treat our lives as a gift.” If you know someone or you personally are having any thoughts of hurting yourself, please call the Sheriff’s Office for help (256) 236-6600.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-8255
Advertisement
