HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Hawaii mental health patient died by suicide at a South Carolina psychiatric facility last month, within weeks of being transferred from Hawaii State Hospital as part of an effort to reduce overcrowding.

Payton Nathaniel Hough, 34, was among the first patients transferred to the mainland under the state’s plan to address population pressures at the state hospital.

Multiple sources confirmed Hough died by suicide at Columbia Regional Care Center in November, though the Department of Health did not confirm the incident took place.

Hough’s family learned of his death on Nov. 25, according to his sister’s Instagram post.

Key lawmakers were only told about the death Tuesday after Hawaii News Now asked about it.

Patient’s history of violence

Hough was born and

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