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Recent Orange County escapee commits suicide at Putnamville
PUTNAMVILLE -- A French Lick man, recently in the news for escaping from the Orange County Jail, died in an apparent suicide Sunday at Putnamville Correctional Facility.
Offender Denny Kellems, 33, was found hanging by a bed sheet tied to a vent in his cell, PCF Superintendent Brian Smith announced Monday morning.
Kellems was in a single cell in the disciplinary restricted housing unit of the facility.
A medical emergency was called and staff attempted CPR to no avail. An emergency medical ambulance was called, and the offender was pronounced dead by the Putnam County Coroner at 3:40 p.m.
Kellems was serving a six-year sentence for felony firearm possession out of Orange County. He made headlines in early August for escaping the Orange County Jail. After his escape, Kellems confronted a woman in Paoli, battered her and then stole her car.
Officers searched for Kellems and when he saw one approaching, he reportedly stabbed himself in the throat several times.
Back in the custody of the state following the incident, Kellems arrived at Putnamville on Aug. 17. His earliest possible released date was Jan. 12, 2017.
Although suicide is considered the likely cause, Kellems' death remains under investigation by the Putnam County Coroner's Office.