A 32-year-old woman died less than two days after being booked into the Pueblo County Jail, raising fresh questions about inmate health and safety at the rural Colorado detention center.

The inmate, identified by the Pueblo County Coroner as Jewelli Carrillo, was found unresponsive in her jail cell Tuesday afternoon. Despite immediate medical attention from deputies and paramedics, she died at the hospital shortly afterward.

A death behind bars, still unanswered

Carrillo had been in custody for just over 24 hours, according to sheriff’s officials. She was not identified publicly until Thursday, when the coroner released her name.

What caused her death? No one knows yet.

An autopsy is scheduled, but the coroner’s office hasn’t given any preliminary cause. And while deputies say their early investigation hasn’t uncovered any evidence of foul play, the case remains active.

A single sentence from the sheriff’s department captures the tension in the air: “There were no obvious signs of trauma.”

That doesn’t mean the community isn’t looking for answers.

Timeline of the incident

Details remain sparse, but officials laid out a basic timeline:

• Carrillo was booked into the Pueblo County Jail on Monday.

• By Tuesday afternoon, she was found unresponsive in her cell.

• Jail staff initiated CPR and called for medical backup.

• Emergency responders from Pueblo Fire and American Medical Response (AMR) arrived shortly after.

• Carrillo was transported to a local hospital with a weak heartbeat.

• She was later pronounced dead.

She hadn’t even made it through her second night behind bars.

No foul play—but what happened?

While sheriff’s investigators have ruled out external violence for now, the nature of the death—sudden, unexpected, and occurring so quickly after booking—has led to a wave of questions.

The official line: “There’s no indication of criminal conduct at this time.”

Still, people want clarity. Why was she in custody? Was she under medical supervision? Had she complained of any symptoms?

As of now, none of those questions have been answered publicly.

Past incidents at Pueblo County Jail

This isn’t the first time Pueblo County Jail has been in the spotlight over an inmate death.

In 2021, another inmate died while awaiting trial, prompting an internal review of healthcare access and wellness checks. While that case was unrelated, it did lead to modest reforms—including more routine observation of inmates during the first 72 hours of detention.

But Carrillo’s case will likely re-ignite concerns about mental health screenings, withdrawal monitoring, and how the jail handles inmates with pre-existing conditions.

Sheriff’s officials say the facility follows state-mandated intake protocols. But as with many rural county jails across the U.S., staffing levels, medical access, and funding are often stretched thin.

A system under pressure

The truth is, Pueblo County Jail isn’t alone. Across Colorado—and nationwide—correctional facilities are grappling with increased scrutiny over how they handle inmates with medical and psychological needs.

According to a 2024 report from the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, there were 17 in-custody deaths in county jails statewide last year. Many were classified as “natural causes” or “medical emergencies,” but some families and advocates have pushed back on that language, calling it too vague.

The same report highlighted three problem areas:

• Lack of immediate medical triage upon booking

• Limited detox protocols for drug-related arrests

• Insufficient mental health staff during night hours

Pueblo, with a population under 120,000, sits at the intersection of these systemic challenges. Its jail houses pre-trial detainees, many of whom are there for non-violent charges, probation violations, or bench warrants.

No criminal record released yet

At this time, Carrillo’s full booking information hasn’t been made public. The sheriff’s office hasn’t released the reason for her initial arrest. They also haven’t said whether she had requested or received medical attention during her stay.

Meanwhile, the coroner’s autopsy is expected in the coming days. It may provide some clarity—but it won’t bring her back.

One sentence in the sheriff’s press release stood out for its starkness: “The investigation remains ongoing.”

That much is certain.