ELWOOD, Ind. (AP) - A coroner has ruled the hanging death of an
Iraq war veteran in the Elwood City Jail a suicide.

Madison County Coroner Ned Dunnichay made the ruling Saturday
following an autopsy on 23-year-old U.S. Army Spc. Timothy K. Israel.

Officials said Israel used the drawstring from his pants to hang
himself in a cell Friday.

The Herald Bulletin of Anderson reports that Israel was arrested
earlier Friday on a preliminary domestic battery charge. Friends told the newspaper that he was wrongly accused.

State police are investigating Israel's death.

Israel's father, Keith Israel, says he is considering a lawsuit against Elwood police because he believes the surveillance cameras in the cell weren't properly monitored.

A dispatcher at the police department says it isn't releasing any comment at this time.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)