Mutual Aid in Lynnwood Jail In-Custody Death
Published on July 21, 2021
Contact: Public Information Officer
Tiffany Trombley
Community Services Unit
ttrombley@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3427
Case/Incident #21-25750
Kirkland Police help with independent investigation
UPDATE JULY 28, 2021: The Kirkland Police Detectives completed the independent investigation that was requested by the Lynnwood Police Department for an in-custody death of a female inmate in the Lynnwood City Jail on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The independent investigation was delivered directly to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office for review and they will determine whether any violation of criminal law occurred related to the in-custody death. The female inmate’s death has been ruled a suicide by the medical examiner.
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On Tuesday, July 13 2021, The Lynnwood Police Department requested that an independent investigation be completed by the Kirkland Police Department. This request was prompted by the Lynnwood Jail facility earlier that afternoon when they discovered an adult female inmate deceased in her cell. The request for mutual aid was authorized by Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris and assigned a team of experienced Detectives.
That same day Kirkland Detectives were given full access by the Lynnwood Police Department to its facilities, staff, reports and electronic/video data in order to conduct the most thorough, independent in-custody death investigation possible. After their initial investigative response, Kirkland Detectives released the body of the decedent to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office (SCMEO). While the investigation continued, Kirkland Detectives were informed by the SCMEO that the official manner of the in-custody death was the result of suicide. This was consistent with the preliminary findings of the Kirkland Detectives conducting the investigation.
On the morning of July 20, 2021, a summary of the investigation to this point was given by the lead Kirkland Detective to members of the Lynnwood Police Command Staff. The independent investigation is expected to conclude in the coming days. It will be submitted by the Kirkland Police Department directly to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office for review and determination as to whether any violation of criminal law occurred related to the in-custody death.
For more information about the incident please contact Public Information Officer Tiffany Trombley of the Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3427 or at ttrombley@kirklandwa.gov.
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