ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. — A 68-year-old woman in custody at the Alachua County Jail died Sunday night after she was found unresponsive inside the facility’s infirmary, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said jail staff contacted the Combined Communications Center at approximately 11:15 p.m. on May 10, 2026, requesting emergency medical services for a female inmate who was discovered unresponsive in her bed.
Officials said medical staff began treating the patient while detention personnel requested additional assistance. Personnel from Gainesville Fire Rescue arrived at the infirmary at approximately 11:22 p.m. and took over life-saving efforts.
At 11:50 p.m., paramedics stopped resuscitation efforts and informed deputies that the inmate had died.
The sheriff’s office identified the inmate as 68-year-old Shirley Williams.
According to investigators, Williams was housed in the infirmary under close observation with medical staff available on site. Officials said detention staff conducted welfare checks on Williams every 15 minutes in accordance with department policy, which investigators said was confirmed through the facility’s camera system.
During one of the routine checks, a detention officer reportedly found Williams was not breathing. The officer immediately activated a “Code Blue,” began CPR, and called for additional medical assistance.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and is conducting an investigation into the death. Authorities said the investigation is standard procedure for deaths occurring inside the jail and will run parallel to an internal review by the Office of Professional Standards.
Officials noted that the information released so far is preliminary and may change as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Chad Scott and members of the sheriff’s office extended condolences to Williams’ family in a statement released Monday.