Tyler Tessier Found Dead In Cell, Suicide Notes Found
MONTGOMERY CO., Md. (WJZ) -- Tyler Tessier, the man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend, was found dead in his jail cell early Thursday morning and officials believe it was suicide.
Montgomery County police said the 33-year-old hung himself while housed in a single cell.
Opening statements were supposed to begin Thursday in a Montgomery County courthouse.
Letters found in his cell also support the idea that Tessier committed suicide. He was not on suicide watch.
RELATED: Jury Selection Enters Day 2 In Trial For Man Accused Of Killing Pregnant Girlfriend
According to Montgomery County Police. Tessier was woken up at 4 a.m. to prepare for court. He showered at 4:15 a.m. and returned to his cell to dress. He was seen around 4:36 a.m. He was served breakfast at 4:45 a.m.
During the next round at 4:55 a.m. he was discovered hanging in his cell.
The officer tried to saved Tessier's life and EMS took over just before 5:15 a.m. At 5:32 p.m. he was pronounced dead.
The Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said Tessier was in a cell alone at the time of the suicide.
There are no signs of foul play, McCarthy said, and there are a series of notes that also align with the probability of suicide.
In court Thursday, Judge Michael Mason broke the news to jurors, who were asked not to watch or read local news.
"There is no easy way to tell you this, but the defendant was found dead in his cell," Mason said.
Judge said to #TylerTessier jury pool—I know I asked you to avoid all exposure to local news, so this will come as a shock. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 6, 2018
He then explained the next steps for the case where the prosecution would enter a nolle pros to end the case sometime Thursday or Friday.
Victim Laura Wallen, a respected Howard County teacher, failed to show up for the first day of classes at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia exactly one year ago.
She was found with a gunshot wound to the head in a field in Montgomery County.
The judge is on the bench. Laura Wallen's family is in the courtroom with prosecutors. Judge is handling another matter first. This morning, their daughter's accused killer committed suicide in his cell as opening statements were to start. @wjz #TylerTessier pic.twitter.com/LjMbBCiMQt
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 6, 2018
According to authorities, Tessier murdered Wallen because she found out he was engaged to another woman and contacted her.
McCarthy called Tessier a psychopath and said "to him, lying was like breathing."
A series of text also confirm Tessier's motive.
"I could literally kill her," Tessier texted his fiance.
Tessier's fiancé was at courthouse Thursday, McCarthy said. She is also a victim of his behavior, he added.
Watch the press conference live here.
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