The Marion County Sheriff’s Department has released information on the death of an inmate who went unconscious and later died at a Mt. Vernon hospital.
The sheriff’s department reports the incident involving Romy McAlexander of Centralia, which occurred on July 10th. Corrections staff at the jail were alerted to the incident and began monitoring the inmate. Her condition worsened and an ambulance was called to the jail.
The sheriff’s department reports life-saving measures were performed by deputies, corrections, and ambulance personnel, and the inmate with taken to the Salem Township Hospital. The staff at Salem Township Hospital elected to medically transfer the inmate to SSM Health in Mt. Vernon where she later passed away.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office initiated an investigation and requested an autopsy, which was conducted on July 13th. The preliminary cause of death was determined to be a previously undiagnosed medical issue involving her lungs.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office along with the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office are continuing their investigation.
