MBI rules death of Meridian mayoral candidate Mariner Durant a suicide
Published 12:00 pm Monday, March 11, 2019
- Durant
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has ruled the June 5, 2017 death of Meridian mayoral candidate Mariner Durant a suicide, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Durant, 23, died in the woods outside his home on the 5700 block of 14th Place, near Temple Beth Israel, the day before the 2017 mayoral election.
Durant had withdrawn as a Libertarian candidate in the race on May 9, 2017.
The Meridian Police Department invited MBI to investigate the death due to Durant’s public comments about mistrusting local law enforcement, Meridian Police Chief Benny Dubose said at the time.
According to Kassie Coleman, the 10th Circuit Court District Attorney, the MBI sent their report to her office on February 22.
Coleman spoke with family before releasing the status of the report on Monday.
“The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office has completed the final autopsy report and ruled Mr. Durant’s death a suicide,” Coleman said in an emailed statement Monday. “The (MBI) found no evidence to contradict the Medical Examiner’s ruling of suicide.”
Durant’s family asked that the case be closed without further action, according to Coleman.
The update comes after The Meridian Star requested an update on seven cases sent to MBI since December 2016. MBI referred questions to Coleman’s office, who said her office has only received a file from Durant’s case.
RESOURCES
Those monitoring loved ones should recognize possible warning signs and know how to get help.
Warning signs include: talking about wanting to die, talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose, talking about being a burden to others, increased substance abuse, extreme mood swings and more.
Experts recommend that concerned friends or family shouldn’t leave someone with the above symptoms alone and should remove any firearms, drugs or sharp objects that could be used to harm oneself.
The Weems Community Mental Health Center has a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response Team at 1-800-803-0245 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
