Amber Hilberling's Former Attorney Says He Warned Prison She Was Suicidal

Amber Hilberling's former attorney said he warned administrators at the Mabel Bassett Women's Prison twice in recent weeks that she was suicidal.

He said the prison ignored his warnings and then Hilberling was found hanging dead in her cell Sunday evening.

"I'm touched she only shared it with me," said Jasen Elias, Amber's former attorney.

10/24/2016 Related Story: Medical Examiner Rules Amber Hilberling's Death Suicide By Hanging

Elias was one of the attorneys who helped defend Amber Hilberling at her murder trial where she was convicted of murdering her husband Josh.

He's stayed in touch with her through emails and phone calls while she was serving her 25-year sentence. He's written a book about the case called "Pushed."

"The warden did not take my warning seriously," Elias said. 

He said Amber told him she got into trouble for being in an unauthorized building and her punishment was no visitation for the next three months. 

He said she was devastated because she'd been seeing her son twice a month at prison visits and on holidays and the next 90 days includes Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"I told the warden I was concerned Amber was not going to live through the holidays without being able to see Levi, and the warden said, 'I'm not discussing this with you," Elias said.

He also received poems from Amber and said one was about suicide. He said he feels the prison should've followed a suicide risk protocol. He said he was devastated to learn she'd killed herself.

"It's been a really hard few days. Amber wasn't just a client to me, she even was more than a friend. I came to see her as part of my family. I really cared about her," Elias said.

He said his book uncovered new evidence and he was hopeful it would lead to a new trial and even lead to Amber's release.

"I tried to use that as a way to give her hope the last few weeks," he said.

Prison officials said it can't comment because it would violate federal health privacy laws. They said losing visitation is common punishment for breaking the rules. 

Mabel Bassett Correctional Center officials released a list of Amber's misconducts while in prison, which is posted below.