Novato Woman's Death Prompts Investigations By Marin Authorities

NOVATO, CA – The death of a Novato woman who was apparently trying to kill herself as police arrived to save her life has prompted multiple investigations, authorities said.

The Novato Police Department received a 911 call at 1:06 p.m. Monday about a woman trying to kill herself by taking too much medicine inside an apartment in the 400 block of Ignacio Boulevard. At 1:13 p.m., an officer found the 35-year-old woman "aggressively" taking medicine, according to police.

Officers took the medicine from the woman who allegedly tried to get more from a nearby bathroom. Police said after a brief struggle the woman was taken into protective custody for a mental health evaluation.

The woman was taken to Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center in Terra Linda where she later died.

Although the woman died at a hospital, Novato police have opened an in-custody death investigation. The Novato Police Department is conducting an administrative investigation, while the Marin County Sheriff's Office is conducting a criminal investigation. The Marin County District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent review of the incident, according to police.

Police said they are not yet releasing the names of the officers involved or the name of the woman.

Image via Shutterstock