A 31-year-old man being held in the Fulton County Jail on assault and stalking charges died Thursday morning of an apparent suicide, authorities said.

Richard Willie Hill, of Riverdale, was found about 7:45 a.m. and was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later at Grady Memorial Hospital, according to jail spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan.

Hill was scheduled to appear in court Thursday, Flanagan said.

"A preliminary investigation reveals that he asphyxiated himself with his pants," Flanagan said.

She said the man was being held on $40,000 bond, charged with aggravated assault, aggravated stalking and possession of a firearm.

The death is being investigated by Atlanta police and the county medical examiner's office, Flanagan said.

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Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman