Jail inmate dies; cause unclear

A Spokane County Jail inmate died Sunday of an undetermined medical problem, the Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Sgt. Dave Reagan identified the inmate as Shariesa Rosetta Oneil, 39, who jail officials said also was known as Shariesa Brown.

Reagan said an autopsy Monday failed to determine the cause of death, but the detective assigned to the case expected pending laboratory tests to provide more information. Test results typically take several weeks.

Oneil was arrested Nov. 30 on suspicion of second-degree domestic assault for allegedly ransacking the home she shares with a roommate. Oneil and the roommate told deputies she had overdosed on diet pills, so Oneil was treated at a hospital before being booked early Friday morning, Reagan said.

Shortly after corrections officers began feeding inmates about 6 a.m. Sunday, Deputy Brad Dahlin noticed Oneil was moving slowly and had poor balance. Fearing a stroke, Dahlin summoned nurses, and they called an ambulance about 7 a.m., Reagan said.

He said hospital emergency room doctors pronounced Oneil dead about 10 a.m.

A search of Oneil’s cell turned up nothing that could explain her death, Reagan said.