Pelzer: Apparent suicide at prison probed

An apparent suicide at Perry Correctional Institution is being investigated by the S.C. Department of Corrections.

James Bell Jr. was found dead in his cell Feb. 11, department spokesman Josh Gelinas said. He was 35.

Authorities initially thought Bell died of natural causes, but an autopsy revealed he died as a result of an overdose of prescription medication, Gelinas said. Bell was serving a life sentence for murder, he said.