By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

The Emery County Sheriff’s Office is conducting internal and external investigations following the discovery of a deceased 54-year old female inmate in the Emery County Jail.

The inmate was discovered on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 29, when inmates in the same section of the jail as the deceased reported to dispatch and jail staff that the inmate was deceased in the shower area. A release from the ECSO states that the death was “an apparent suicide.”

“Both internal and external investigations are being conducted. An outside agency is on site conducting the investigation,” continued the release.

The official cause of death is currently under investigation by the State Medical Examiner.

“This is a difficult situation, one that we have not had to deal with in the past. Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we are mindful of our staff and other inmates and the emotions they are going through with this situation as well,” closes the statement.

No further information has been released at the time of writing.

For those struggling with thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988 any time for support. Resources are also available at utahsuicideprevention.org.