A woman who was in jail at the Snohomish County Jail in Everett was discovered dead on Wednesday, marking the sixth death at the facility since September. The 43-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a single-occupancy cell under maximum security by a corrections deputy and an incarcerated worker delivering lunches around 11:15 a.m., as per a news release from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, the corrections staff was unsuccessful. The woman had been booked into the jail on Monday by the Monroe Police Department and was being held on $1,500 bail for various charges including possession of a controlled substance, carrying a firearm without a permit, driving with a suspended license, and possession of contraband in a correctional institution. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine her identity, cause, and manner of death.
This tragic incident marks the third death at the jail since the beginning of 2024 and the sixth death in the past 10 months. The Washington State Department of Health mandates morbidity reviews for unexpected jail fatalities within 120 days, unless an extension is granted. In May, a 51-year-old man passed away after being evaluated by a nurse and a corrections deputy, with the cause of death still pending release by the Medical Examiner’s Office. In January, 36-year-old Brendon E. Tesch died after being found unresponsive in his cell. A review by a Snohomish County committee revealed that he had died from fentanyl intoxication despite receiving five doses of Narcan after being discovered unresponsive.
Another individual, a 38-year-old man, was found unresponsive in his cell in October and was unable to be resuscitated. He also passed away from fentanyl intoxication after being placed on medical detox upon booking months earlier. Similarly, in September, 42-year-old Andrey Biruk was moved from medical detox to an observation unit where he was later found unresponsive. Despite efforts to save him, he died from a ruptured peptic ulcer. The committee recommended the installation of cameras inside cells in the unit where Biruk was found unresponsive.
Just days before Biruk’s death, 38-year-old Jonathan M. Reilly passed away from cardiovascular disease. Despite being on medical detox watch, Reilly refused treatment when a nurse in the medical housing unit attempted to take his vitals. He was found unresponsive during subsequent checks, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. The committee suggested requiring signed medical waivers when individuals refuse treatment.
All completed fatality reviews submitted to the state and Legislature in the past year regarding the Snohomish County Jail have indicated that Jail Health Services did not identify any issues related to the deaths. In March, the Snohomish County Council approved approximately $350,000 for a feasibility study to assess the potential of establishing a secure detox facility within the jail. This initiative aims to address some of the concerns surrounding the recent deaths and improve the overall well-being of incarcerated individuals.
