By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

AN accused murderer was found dead in his cell at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services early yesterday morning.

According to a source, the inmate was discovered hanging from the bars of his cell, with a bed sheet wrapped around his neck.

Authorities have remained tight lipped on the incident but sources close to the matter said police suspect suicide, although the official cause of death is not yet known.

The deceased has been identified as Jamal Gibson, 25, also known as “Eggy”.

Calls to the Correctional Department were not returned up to press time.

However, the department released a short statement yesterday afternoon on the matter, explaining that Gibson was found unresponsive in his cell around 5.45am.

“The institution’s medical officer was contacted and on arrival conducted an examination,” the statement from Commissioner of Correctional Services Patrick Wright said.

“At the conclusion of the examination the inmate was pronounced dead. The cause of death is unknown.”

The department said the coroner and police were contacted, adding that no more information could be provided as the matter is under investigation.

“All other inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services remain in safe custody,” the statement said.

Gibson was remanded to prison in January after he was charged with murder and a litany of other criminal offences, including attempted murder and threats of death.

Prior to his capture, the 25-year-old from Step Street was the subject of a heavy police search in connection with the September 29, 2014 murder of 36-year-old Ricardo Moss and attempted murder of three other people, including former PLP election campaign general Carlos Lamm.

Gibson was also wanted for other offences, including three counts of assault with a deadly weapon against three police officers and another two for assaulting two civilians a month before Moss’ death. He also was wanted for possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply.

Moss was killed while sitting with Lamm, Asherton Barton and Damien Gibbs at Grace Terrace off Bernard Road when Gibson reportedly opened fire on them.

Moss was reportedly shot in the head, Lamm was shot in his stomach, Barton in her thigh and Gibbs in his leg.

They were all taken to hospital in a private vehicle. Moss, however, did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival.

For that attack, Gibson was charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to Fox Hill.

Gibson was also charged with five counts of assault with a deadly weapon from three separate incidents, along with one count of possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply. According to reports, on December 24, 2014 Gibson allegedly assaulted Corporals 2296 St Cyr and 3736 Adderley with a firearm.

Gibson also allegedly assaulted Cpl 2054 Moultrie with a firearm on September 20.

On August 8, 2014 Gibson was also accused of assaulting Isaac Gibson and Andrew Gibson with a firearm. Gibson was also allegedly found in possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply.

When he was arraigned in January, Gibson claimed he was “gun-butted” by police and bitten by a police dog at the time of his capture.

In court, he claimed he suffered a bloodshot eye and a “shaky tooth” after allegedly being “kicked” and “stomped” by officers. He also claimed that police told him that they wanted to kill him.

Gibson was scheduled to return to court on July 7.