Gering man facing attempted murder charge dies by apparent suicide in Keith County Jail

OGALLALA - A Gering man awaiting trial on multiple felony charges - including attempted second-degree murder — was found dead Sunday in the Keith County Jail, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

NSP said jail staff discovered the inmate, identified as Dawson Reifschneider, 25, unresponsive inside his cell. No one else was housed in the cell, and the death appeared to be a suicide. The Keith County Attorney’s Office has asked the State Patrol to conduct the grand jury investigation, as required by Nebraska law.

Reifschneider had been arrested last Tuesday following a violent incident in Gering. According to court records, officers were called to a home on R Street where Reifschneider allegedly broke in and assaulted two people — the same location tied to his earlier arrest in May.

Investigators reported significant blood evidence inside and outside the residence and recovered a Leatherman tool with an extended knife blade. He was charged with nine offenses stemming from the incident, including attempted second-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, intentional second-degree assault and burglary.

Reifschneider had previously posted bond in May after being accused in a 12-hour ordeal involving threats to kill a woman and her ex-boyfriend. He was being held in Keith County pending trial in Scotts Bluff County at the time of his death.