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Officer foils MMA fighter’s suicide attempt; ‘War Machine’ found hanging from bunk

Posted at 12:44 PM, Oct 17, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-17 12:44:54-04

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday reported one of its corrections officers prevented the suicide of domestic violence suspect and mixed-martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver, legally known as “War Machine.”

Police said about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the officer was conducting a walk-through inside the Clark County Detention Center when he noticed Koppenhaver in a seated position on the floor with feet resting on his bunk.

KVVU reports that the officer additionally noticed what appeared to be a torn piece of linen around his neck, which was tied to the leg of the bunk.

When the officer entered his cell, Koppenhaver was unresponsive and struggling to breathe. The officer cut the linen from his neck and he later became responsive.

Police said Koppenhaver stabilized by 9:45 p.m. and he was moved to a medical isolation cell and placed on suicide watch.

Police said they located a suicide note inside Koppenhaver’s cell.

EMBARGO: Las Vegas, NV The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday, October 16, 2014 reported one of its corrections officers prevented the suicide of domestic violence suspect and mixed-martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver, legally known as "War Machine."

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday, October 16, 2014 reported one of its corrections officers prevented the suicide of domestic violence suspect and mixed-martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver, legally known as “War Machine.”

Koppenhaver in September pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and kidnapping in connection with a case involving his ex-girlfriend, Christine Mackinday, who is also known as Christy Mack.

According to court records, Koppenhaver is a suspect in an attack that took place on Aug. 8 at Mackinday’s residence.

Koppenhaver is also facing charges of battery with substantial harm, strangulation, domestic violence-related battery, open and gross lewdness and attempted murder.