On the evening of October 31, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m., staff at the Howard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a cell inside the Howard County Jail in Kokomo, Indiana, after an inmate was discovered unresponsive. The man was identified as 29-year-old Phillip DeAngelo White of Kokomo. His family has since been notified of his passing.
Correctional officers and medical staff began life-saving efforts after another inmate alerted them to the situation. Paramedics from Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital and firefighters from the Kokomo Fire Department arrived on scene, but despite their efforts Mr. White was pronounced dead at approximately 5:48 p.m. that evening.
An autopsy was conducted on November 3, 2025, by the Howard County Coroner’s Office, which preliminarily determined the cause of death to be consistent with asphyxia due to hanging and ruled the manner of death a suicide. The Indiana State Police are assisting in the investigation.
Investigators say there is no evidence of foul play at this time. The case remains officially under review by the Indiana State Police and the coroner’s office.
Family members and others with information about the incident are being urged to come forward. Tips can be directed to Detective Josh Maller of the Indiana State Police at (765) 473-6666, or to the Howard County Coroner’s Office at (765) 456-1186.
As the community reflects on the tragedy, attention is turning to the environment inside the jail and protocols for monitoring inmates. The Howard County Jail, which holds hundreds of detainees, faces the challenge of ensuring rapid response in high-stress, high-risk settings. While officials maintain that the facility follows required procedures, the death of Mr. White will likely prompt closer scrutiny of how staff detect and respond to self-harm risks.
Mr. White’s family now must navigate the aftermath of a sudden and tragic loss. For loved ones of incarcerated individuals, this event underscores the vulnerability of detainees and the imperative for constant vigilance. The investigation remains open, and authorities say they will provide updates if new information emerges.