State prison at Monroe investigating death of 30-year-old inmate

MONROE, Wash. — The state Department of Corrections is investigating the death of Michael Bryant, 30, an inmate in confinement at the Special Offender Unit of Monroe Correctional Complex.

The DOC said the initial response indicates the death was a result of an apparent suicide.


Bryant was found unconscious and not breathing at about 3 a.m.  Friday, the DOC said, and despite live-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at 7:29 a.m., more than four hours after he was found.

The DOC said officials contacted local law enforcement and the county coroner’s office. Monroe Correctional Complex’s Intelligence and Investigations unit, along with local law enforcement, are investigating the matter.

Bryant began serving an 18-year sentence on Oct. 22, 2004, with the most serious offenses being Arson and Assault as his crimes of conviction out of Lewis County.

Monroe Correctional Complex is located near Monroe and houses about 2,400 male inmates.