Pulled Over for Signal Change, Naperville Woman Is Found Dead in Texas Jail Cell

Photo: Sandra Bland, left, is shown here with her mother.

A Naperville woman was found dead in a Texas jail cell and her family and friends believe foul play was involved.

28-year-old Sandra Bland was arrested Friday, July 10 for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop, according to ABC 7. She was pulled over for improperly signaling a lane change. At around 9 a.m. Monday, July 13, she was found dead in her cell.

ABC 7 reports that Bland was driving with her mother to Texas Prairie View A&M for a speech on civil rights, child welfare and social issues. It is unclear if Bland’s mother was with her at the time she was pulled over.

According to sheriff’s deputies, Bland died of self-inflicted asphyxiation. Some of Bland’s family and friends have said that she was found hanging in her cell, but police have not confirmed the circumstances of her death.

According to a press release from the Waller County Sheriff’s Department, CPR was given to Bland but was pronounced dead shortly after she was discovered.

Longtime friend LaNitra Dean tells the I-Team that Bland “was a warm, affectionate, outspoken woman” who spoke out about police brutality often on her Facebook page.

“The Waller County Jail is trying to rule her death a suicide and Sandy would not have taken her own life,” Dean said. “Sandy was strong. Strong mentally and spiritually.”

According to ABC 7, family members intend to bring her body back to Illinois for burial.