A 39-year-old inmate at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) died at the University of New Mexico Hospital following an apparent suicide attempt while in custody. The inmate, identified as Justin Sean Stone, was booked into MDC on April 19, 2024.
According to officials, Stone attempted suicide on December 28, 2025, while housed in the jail’s Restricted Housing Unit. A corrections officer found him in distress at 6:23 p.m., prompting a medical emergency response. MDC staff and UNM Hospital medical personnel initiated life-saving measures before transporting Stone to the hospital at 6:47 p.m.
Stone remained hospitalized for about two weeks and died from his injuries at 2:35 a.m. on January 10.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) was notified of the incident on December 28 and responded to the scene. The event is under investigation by both BCSO and the MDC Office of Professional Standards. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will determine the official cause of death.
This incident comes amid ongoing concerns regarding detainee management in Bernalillo County. Recently, the District Attorney expressed frustration over suspects being released without required GPS monitors and returning to the streets despite pending charges.
