UPDATE: A state investigation has been launched following the death of an inmate at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center in Charlotte. Sandi Hill, 51, was discovered unresponsive in her cell on Saturday night around 11:40 p.m. and was declared dead shortly after arriving at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center, according to reports from QC News.
This incident marks the third inmate death at the facility since August, prompting urgent scrutiny over the conditions within the detention center. Local authorities confirmed that detention officers and emergency services responded immediately to the medical emergency, but efforts to resuscitate Hill were unsuccessful.
In a statement, Sheriff Garry McFadden expressed his sorrow over Hill’s passing, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation:
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Ms. Hill, who was in our custody.”
The sheriff’s office has informed Hill’s family and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation led by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Hill had been held at the detention center since May 23 on a charge of common law robbery. The medical examiner is set to determine the cause of her death, a critical step that may shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Authorities have also been facing scrutiny for previous fatalities at the detention center, including two male inmates who died earlier in August. These recurring events have raised alarms about the treatment and safety of individuals in custody.
As the investigation unfolds, the SBI’s involvement is a standard protocol for any death that occurs while in custody. The implications of this case are significant, as it raises vital questions about inmate health and safety, and the overall conditions at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.
NEXT: Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available and the investigation progresses. The community is watching closely, eager for answers that might prevent further tragedies in the future.
