Linn County Jail inmate dies, cause of death unknown

CEDAR RAPIDS — A female inmate at the Linn County Jail died Thursday morning, though the cause of death is, as of now, unknown, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

A corrections officer found the woman — who was not identified — lying on the floor unconscious in her cell block at 2:12 a.m., according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

The inmate was given CPR, connected to an automated external defibrillator and taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The woman had been in custody since 6:21 p.m. Wednesday and had been checked by jail staff at 1:20 a.m. Thursday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s office investigators said they have reviewed correctional center video and found no apparent cause for the medical emergency.

The Linn County medical examiner ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death, and the body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny.

The sheriff’s office will release the woman’s name after her family has been notified.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com