Officials say Ohio death row inmate who OD’d on pills in cell was attempting suicide

Officials: Ohio death row inmate sought suicide

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Officials say an Ohio death row inmate was attempting suicide when he overdosed on pills two days before his scheduled execution.

Spokeswoman Julie Walburn said Wednesday that the determination was made by mental health staff in the prisons department.

She says investigators are exploring whether Lawrence Reynolds Jr. had visitors before the overdose or stockpiled medication prescribed for him.

Reynolds was to have been executed Tuesday but was found unconscious in his cell Sunday and hospitalized. He’s back in prison on suicide watch, with his execution rescheduled for next Tuesday.

Prison officials have not identified the drug Reynolds took.