Authorities release name of man who died in Newport Beach custody

Newport Beach police have released the name of the Lake Elsinore man who hanged himself while in police custody last week.

Michael Purnell, 50, was arrested Thursday morning on a number of outstanding warrants, police officials said. An anonymous caller told police where they could find Purnell, who was wanted on at least one felony warrant for not showing up to court, authorities said.

Purnell was arrested at 10:15 a.m. and held in the police department jail. At about 2 p.m., the jail officer was making a routine check and found Purnell hanging, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Prosecutors are investigating, which is routine for in-custody deaths.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].