Arkansas State Police (ASP) have launched investigations into two unrelated in-custody deaths, one involving a West Memphis man who became unresponsive after his arrest and another concerning a Fayetteville woman who died after showing signs of possible drug ingestion.
In the West Memphis case, police were called to Crittenden Baptist Hospital on Sunday, July 26, after reports of a man attempting to break into an ambulance, according to ASP. Officers said the man, identified as 40-year-old Tony Sanders, fled on foot into a nearby field but was apprehended and charged with fleeing and disorderly conduct.
Sanders was transported to the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department, where authorities said he became unresponsive. Officers performed CPR and contacted Crittenden County EMS. Sanders was taken to Crittenden Baptist Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The West Memphis Police Department subsequently requested that ASP investigate the incident.
Separately, ASP is examining the July 15 death of 36-year-old Jordan Ferchow of Fayetteville. Ferchow was arrested by University of Arkansas police on charges related to driving with a suspended license during a prior DWI suspension, along with several traffic violations. She was processed into the Washington County Detention Center around 12:15 a.m.
Authorities said Ferchow later displayed symptoms consistent with possible drug ingestion and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Medical staff pronounced her dead shortly afterward. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office requested ASP’s involvement in the investigation.
ASP has stated that both cases remain ongoing, with additional details unavailable at this time.