Homicide suspect dies by suicide in Montgomery County Jail

DAYTON — A man arrested earlier this month on suspicion of killing his 85-year-old stepfather has died by suicide at the Montgomery County Jail.

RELATED: Man jailed in fatal stabbing of Dayton man, 85

Sheriff’s office leaders confirmed to News Center 7’s Mike Campbell that 58-year-old Robert Harbin took his life Sunday morning.

Harbin was held in the jail on a probation violation, but he had been arrested three weeks ago on suspicion of murder after his stepfather, 85-year-old Jerry M. Combs, was found stabbed to death in his South Sperling Avenue home.

According to court and jail records, the murder charge against Harbin was dropped two days later at a detective’s request. Police are still investigating the crime and Harbin’s potential involvement.

Coroner’s officials say Combs had been stabbed several times Oct. 7.

RELATED: Man identified in death investigation at Dayton house

“It’s really, really surprising and shocking. A horrible situation for a child to a person who raised them,” said Tiffany Hall of Dayton.

Hall lived down the street from Combs.

His death shocked the neighborhood, and now so does Harbin’s suicide.

Jail leaders said Harbin was held in a large fourth-floor cell that housed between eight and 10 inmates.

They confirmed he was not on suicide watch and that they had not seen any warning signs of mental or emotional stress or concerns.

It’s the first jail suicide this year after four recorded suicides a year ago.

People who lived where the fatal stabbing happened said Harbin’s death also is a tragedy.

“That’s a lot of stress and anxiety on people, even if we do see their crimes as vicious and malicious, or whatever,” Hall said.

Dayton police have not said a lot about what happened in Combs’ house. That was expected to come out in any court case that proceeded, but now that won’t happen.

Meanwhile, a sheriff’s major over the jail said there are two investigations underway. One is by the special investigations division to make sure there was no involvement by other inmates in Harbin’s death, and the second investigation is conducted by the sheriff’s internal affairs department to make sure all jail policies and procedures were followed.

What to do: 

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

People in need can call a suicide hotline number at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time to reach a trained counselor.