Overview
- The 44-year-old woman from Selly Oak was arrested in Walsall at 6:30pm on 2 February and was found unresponsive at 2:15pm on 3 February in a Bloxwich custody cell before being pronounced dead at the scene.
- An independent investigation was declared by the Independent Office for Police Conduct at 4:20pm on 3 February.
- IOPC investigators attended the custody facility to preserve the scene and recover evidence, including CCTV and body-worn video.
- The inquiry will examine the woman’s arrest, her supervision while in custody, and the actions of officers and police staff who interacted with her.
- The IOPC expressed condolences as its specialist family liaison team supports relatives, and West Midlands Police has been approached for comment with no findings released yet.