The Toombs County Sheriff’s Office has asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate the death of a female inmate that was found deceased in her cell.

On November 9, at 5:26 p.m., jailers discovered Susan Diaz, age 54, unresponsive. Diaz was in a cell by herself because of health issues and was on a 30-minute medical watch. When she was discovered, jail personnel administered emergency treatment and Toombs EMS was called. When medical emergency staff arrived at the detention center, they determined that Diaz could not be resuscitated.

Captain Jordan Kight said notice of the inmate death was not immediately broadcast to the public because they were attempting to locate the woman’s next of kin. Thursday morning of this week her family was found and informed of her demise.

Based on preliminary information, Diaz’s death does not appear to be suspicious in nature, and it is believed that she died of natural causes stemming from ongoing health issues. An autopsy will be performed, and the Sheriff’s office has requested a Coroner’s Inquiry to be conducted to review the findings of the investigation.

Those findings will be turned over to the Sheriff and Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tripp Fitzner’s office when complete.

Diaz was taken into the custody of the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office on November 8 on criminal warrants for entering an auto with intent to commit theft criminal trespass. Those charges are in reference to a case in Toombs County from the Lyons Police Department from July of this year.