Authorities say a Navy petty officer charged with murdering a Camp Pendleton sailor killed himself in a brig that was under video surveillance because he'd made two previous suicide attempts.
Jonathan Campos was on suicide watch when he apparently stuffed toilet paper in his mouth and suffocated Friday.
Pendleton spokesperson Maj. Kristen Lasica-Khaner said Monday that a guard visually checked Campos every five minutes as Navy regulations require. However, there may have been a 36-minute gap between physical inspections.
Campos was found unresponsive in his cell about 12:20 p.m. He had last been checked at 11:45 a.m., according to the U.S. Navy.
The base is investigating.
Campos was charged with shooting Seaman August Provost on June 30. Family members questioned whether Provost was targeted because he was gay but the Navy says it has found no evidence of a hate crime.
Campos was charged with murder and other offenses in the June 30 shooting death of August Provost. Provost was shot several times in the sentry station at Camp Pendleton.
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Campos and Provost were both assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5.
