A man who fatally stabbed himself in Denver police custody has been identified by the coroner’s office.
The incident happened at about 5:25 p.m. Thursday at the man’s home in the 4500 block of Yates Street, police said.
The Denver Coroner’s Office has ruled that Victor Atencio, 51, committed suicide.
Police were at Atencio’s home to talk with him about a drug investigation, police said. He was handcuffed with his hands in front of him instead of behind his back because he had complained of an injury.
As police waited for a search warrant, Atencio grabbed a glass plant-watering globe — which had a long, thin reed — and stabbed himself in the neck, police said.
He cut his carotid artery in the incident, the coroner’s office said.
Atencio was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, were he was pronounced dead.
A search warrant was executed at the home, and drugs were found, police said.
Police declined to say what type or volume of drugs were found.
In June 2008, Atencio pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, according to Colorado court records.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
