Woman Dies Suddenly in Jail

Los Angeles: A 47-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a jail cell at the 77th Street Jail on January 13, 2007.  Police detectives and the coroner’s office are investigating the reason for her death.

Rosalind Lyons was arrested just before midnight, on January 12, for making criminal threats.  She was booked into jail at 1:45 A.M. and assigned to a jail cell alone.  She had refused medical treatment for a pre-existing condition, but it is unknown whether that condition contributed to her death.

Jailers found Lyons unresponsive in her cell during the twice-hourly welfare check at 3:30 P.M.  Paramedics took her to the MLK/Drew Medical Center for treatment, where Lyons later died.

There was no use of force associated with Lyons’ arrest. Force Investigation Division is assigned to the case.