5-18-2007 New Mexico:
SANTA FE -- The investigation into a series of sexual assaults in Santa Fe took a new twist this morning when a “person of interest” in the crimes apparently hanged himself in his jail cell.
Santa Fe County Detention Center staff found David Giba, 44, hanging from his bunk about 4:30 a.m. His death is likely a suicide, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department which is continuing to investigate the death.
Giba was arrested last week and charged with indecent exposure after a surveillance camera recorded a man walking into a Santa Fe business last month and then walking out in his underwear.
He was one of two men recently arrested by Santa Fe police in separate cases and drawn into the ongoing sex-crimes investigation.
Giba was arrested in the flashing case last week and changed in another case Wednesday in which he's accused of attacking a woman at a Santa Fe business in September.
According to the sheriff’s department, Giba left behind three notes now being studied by investigators: one on his cell wall, one addressed to friends and family and one for Santa Fe police detectives.
“All I can really say is that he indicated he was going to commit suicide,” sheriff’s Maj. Ron Madrid said. “At this point they’re going over the notes.
“A lot of the handwriting is hard to read.”
Giba reportedly had undergone a psychological evaluation after being jailed and was not considered to be at risk for suicide.
He was being held in the jail segregation unit and not allowed contact with other inmates because of the sensitive, high--profile nature of his case.
Santa Fe police Chief Eric Johnson said it is not yet known how Giba’s death will affect the investigation into the series of sexual assault stretching back into last year. There also is concern about collecting DNA from Giba’s body for use in the investigation, he said. ..more.. by KRQE News 13
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