OKLAHOMA CITY — Early Tuesday Oklahoma County Detention Center officers discovered a detainee who had died in his cell.
Steven Woods, 45, was found in his cell “unresponsive” during site checks around 4:05 AM Tuesday, according to a news release from Jail PIO Mark Opgrande.
“The officer called for medical personnel and started lifesaving measures after entering the cell, however those efforts were unsuccessful,” said Opgrande.
Woods was last seen alive earlier during a sight check at 3:43 AM.
He had been booked into the OCDC on December 8.
Opgrande said that even though the investigation is still in the early stages, jail staff believe Woods’ death “appears to be suicide.”
Wood’s body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office where the cause of death will be determined.
6th Jail death of 2024 was in September
The last death in the Oklahoma County Detention Center was on September 26.
Sandra Cunnigham, 63, was found “unresponsive” in her cell around 7:51 AM that day when a detention officer and medical staff distributing medications came to her cell to administer her medication.
They immediately started efforts to revive her and called for medical backup, who arrived and continued efforts until EMS and the OKC Fire Department arrived and took over efforts, according to Opgrande.
Cunningham was transported to an area hospital where she died at 8:37 AM that same day.
She was booked into the OCDC on September 15 by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Opgrande, Cunningham was observed alive “by an officer and on video” during a sight check earlier around 6:41 AM.
Cunningham’s body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for determination of death.
By protocol, all deaths in the Oklahoma County Jail are investigated as homicides until the Oklahoma Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
