MMA fighter 'War Machine' under observation after alleged suicide attempt

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Friday, October 17, 2014
Mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan 'War Machine' Koppenhaver appears in an undated file photo.
Mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan 'War Machine' Koppenhaver appears in an undated file photo.
KABC-KABC

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Las Vegas police are keeping a close watch on former mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver, known as "War Machine," after he allegedly tried to take his own life while in jail.

Police say a corrections officer was conducting a routine walk-through inside the Clark County Detention Center around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when he found Koppenhaver sitting on the floor with his neck tied with a torn piece of linen, attached to the leg of his bunk.

Officers also found what appeared to be a suicide letter inside his cell.

The former fighter was assessed by medical personnel, who cleared him after his vitals stabilized at about 9:45 p.m. He was placed in medical isolation.

Koppenhaver is behind bars, accused of beating his ex-girlfriend, adult film star Christy Mack.

He was arrested at a Simi Valley hotel in August.

He is facing a life sentence after being charged with attempted murder.

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