A 40-year-old man who was found dead of apparent suicide on Saturday was facing drug-related charges, jail officials said.

Shannon Thompson had been in the Fulton County jail for four days after having been arrested Aug. 8 in Alpharetta, according to jail records.

His cellmate reported the death to jail officials, Fulton County jail spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said.

“At risk inmates are checked on frequently,” Flanagan said.

Thompson, a former convicted felon, was charged with possession of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in the Aug. 8 arrest, but he also faced similar charges from an Aug. 3 arrest in Roswell.

On Aug. 3, Thompson was arrested on charges of DUI drugs, possession of drug-related objects and possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana. He was released from jail on a surety bond, according to jail records.

He was arrested in 2002 and twice in 2003 on drug charges and charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to jail records.

No additional information was immediately available.

In other news:

Protesters & Supporters Collins Town Hall

About the Author

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com