MDC inmate dies, cause being investigated
Jul. 15—The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a homeless woman who was arrested on Saturday.
At about 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Metropolitan Detention Center and first responders responded to a call of a medical emergency inside the jail.
MDC spokeswoman Candace Hopkins said in an email that when they arrived, first responders performed life-saving measures on Cassandra Yazzie, 35, before pronouncing her dead at 9:20 a.m.
Yazzie, who had been arrested Saturday, according to court records, was being housed in a detox unit at the time of her death, Hopkins said.
The preliminary review of the housing unit's video appears to show the officer was in compliance with wellness checks, Hopkins told the Journal.
Hopkins said Yazzie was responsive during the wellness check conducted at 8:14 a.m. When an officer conducted his next wellness check, "on time" at 8:44 a.m., the officer "determined the inmate was in distress."
Hopkins said the "incident does not appear to be a result of a staffing issue."
As of 6 a.m. Monday, she said there were 1,754 inmates in the facility, which is about 90% of what MDC can hold, 1,950 inmates. She also said the facility has 263 corrections officers, which is about 64% percent of full staff, 411 corrections officers.
Hopkins said the incident is being investigated by the MDC Office of Professional Standards and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator is examining the cause of death.
"Support services will be provided for inmates and staff impacted by this incident," she said.
