Suffolk County Sheriff Investigating Deaths Of 3 People In Custody

The Suffolk County sheriff is investigating the deaths of three people in custody — two died at the jail on the same day last week.

The two detainees were brought to the House of Correction in Boston on July 28 and died the same day. Their deaths do not appear to be related, according to a statement from Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins.

The statement says 35-year-old Ayesha Johnson had been civilly committed to the jail and was waiting to go to a treatment program when she was found alone and unresponsive in a holding cell. Despite emergency medical treatment, she did not survive. Less than an hour later, 42-year-old Edward Isberg was found unresponsive in a medical unit and also died.

The sheriff says foul play is not suspected.

Separately, the department is investigating the death of 31-year-old Rashonn Wilson who became ill on July 12. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. Wilson had been incarcerated for four months. The sheriff did not specify the nature of Wilson's illness.

The Suffolk County DA's office confirmed on Aug. 4 that it is also investigating the deaths, as required.

In a statement, District Attorney Rachael Rollins' spokesman Matt Brelis said, “We have jurisdiction over in-custody deaths in Suffolk County and are reviewing each incident.”

WBUR's Beth Healy contributed to this report.