Inmate found dead in Pinal County jail cell

FLORENCE, Ariz. - Pinal County authorities say a man accused of murdering his wife last month has died in his jail cell in an apparent suicide.

Jesus Quinonez-Valaquez was being held in the Pinal County Adult Detention Center without bond.

The 42-year-old Mexican citizen was charged with the Aug. 17 stabbing death of 41-year-old Alma Ramos in Coolidge.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says Quinonez-Valasquez was housed alone and was found lying face-down in his cell Tuesday night during a routine security check.

An emergency response team was immediately summoned, but authorities say the inmate was pronounced dead by medical personnel and a suicide note was found in the cell.

The body has been transported to the Pima County Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.