Cause of Jail Inmate's Death Appears to be Natural, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Officials Say

The cause of a woman’s death in custody at a Richmond jail Saturday appears to have been natural, but final autopsy results are not yet completed, Contra Costa County sheriff’s officials said today.

The inmate was identified as 51-year-old Antioch resident Kristen Hamilton, who surrendered at the West County Detention Facility for several outstanding warrants last Tuesday, sheriff’s officials said. The warrants included suspicion of drug offenses, possession of stolen property and a probation violation.

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• Sheriff’s Office: Woman Died While in Custody at Contra Costa County Detention Facility

Once in custody, jail staff realized she had prior medical conditions and she was hospitalized the next day. At 12:15 p.m. Saturday, medical staff was at the jail to treat several female inmates. While speaking to Hamilton, she became unresponsive, according to the sheriff’s office. The medical staff attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead in the jail.

An autopsy was conducted Monday and it appears the cause of death is natural, but the final determination is pending toxicology tests, sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock

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