TBI investigating female inmate’s death
McMinn sheriff says ‘no evidence of foul play’ so far, autopsy pending
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing the death of a 49-year-old woman who was found ill June 10 in her cell at the McMinn County Justice Center in Athens, Tennessee, and later died that same day.
“After being found unresponsive in her cell at the McMinn County Justice
Center, Angela Boe was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Susan Niland wrote in an email on the death.
The TBI was asked by 10th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump to investigate Boe’s death, according to Niland.
“Ms. Boe was found partially conscious in her cell by a corrections officer,” McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said Wednesday in a statement.
“A supervisor also responded to Ms. Boe and called an ambulance. Ms Boe’s condition quickly deteriorated and she was taken from the cell and lifesaving measures were implemented until the ambulance arrived,”
Guy said. “Ms. Boe was taken by ambulance to Athens Hospital where she passed away a short time later.”
Chief Deputy Matt Blair contacted the district attorney’s office to ask for the state’s help on the case, he said.
Officers knew Boe, the sheriff said.
“Many of our officers, including myself, have known Ms. Boe for many years, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time,” Guy said.
Boe was being held on a charge of possession of Schedule II drugs for resale, according to officials. She was incarcerated June 1.
Guy said there was no evidence of foul play, so far.
The investigation is continuing. Niland said results are pending from an autopsy being performed by the University of Tennessee Forensics Center in Knoxville.