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Identification in El Paso County jail death released

A 46-year-old woman who died last week in the El Paso County jail has been identified, according to a news release Monday from the Sheriff’s Office.

Felicia Phillips died Thursday, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office confirmed.

An initial investigation did not indicate “self-harm, assault, or foul play,” the authorities said in a release.

Phillips was found unresponsive on her bunk at 10:46 p.m.

Jail medical staff and deputies rendered aid, according to the Sheriff’s Office. At 10:58 p.m., EMS personnel arrived at the jail and took over life-saving efforts. The woman was pronounced dead at 11:17 p.m.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is investigating the death.

Phillips’ cause and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner’s Office.

From 2020 to 2023, more than 20 inmates died in the El Paso County jail when the county contracted with health care provider Wellpath, which has filed for bankruptcy. The company faced over 1,500 lawsuits nationwide, including several tied to care provided at the El Paso County jail.

Two inmates have died since the jail changed providers to VitalCore on Jan. 1, 2024, according to previous Gazette reporting.



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