1 Sonoma County Jail Inmate Dead, Another Hospitalized: Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Sonoma County jail inmate died early Thursday and her cellmate suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to a hospital, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident began at 4:28 a.m. when jail personnel requested an ambulance for a female inmate who was having a medical emergency, sheriff's office Spokesman Juan Valenica said.

Within a few minutes, a second ambulance was requested when the woman's cellmate became unresponsive.

Deputies and fire personnel rendered medical aid to the unresponsive inmate but at 5:20 a.m., she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

The second inmate remained in the hospital as of midday Thursday.

"Sheriff's detectives have notified the Napa County Medical Examiner's Office, who will be handling the coroner's duties, including an autopsy to determine the cause of death," Valencia said.

The sheriff's office was waiting to release the deceased inmate's name until her next of kin were properly notified.

"We send our condolences to the inmate's family and friends during this difficult time," Valenica said.