Grand Junction, Colorado – A 55-year-old Parachute woman locked up for just four days was found dead in her cell at the Mesa County Detention Center Tuesday morning. Jean Treadwell’s sudden passing has left family, friends, and the community searching for answers while authorities insist there were no visible injuries.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the death does not appear suspicious, yet the exact cause remains unknown pending toxicology results that could take weeks.
What Happened Inside the Cell
Deputies discovered Treadwell unresponsive around 6:30 a.m. on September 10 during routine cell checks. Jail staff immediately began CPR and called paramedics. She was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where doctors pronounced her dead a short time later.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy Wednesday. Chief Deputy Coroner Shanna St. Clair confirmed no traumatic injuries were found on Treadwell’s body. “We are waiting on additional studies, including toxicology,” St. Clair told reporters.
Treadwell had been booked into the jail on Friday, September 6, on a failure-to-appear warrant tied to earlier charges. Court records show she had previous misdemeanor cases involving trespassing and theft.
A Life Cut Short
Friends in Parachute remember Jean Treadwell as someone who struggled but never stopped trying. “She had her demons, but she was kind,” one neighbor said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Jean loved her dogs more than anything. This just doesn’t feel real.”
Those who knew her say Treadwell had battled health issues for years, though no one expected her life to end behind bars on a minor warrant.
Growing Concern Over Colorado Jail Deaths
Treadwell’s death marks at least the third in-custody passing in Mesa County since 2020, though officials stress each case is different.
Across Colorado, inmate deaths have drawn intense scrutiny:
- 2023 saw 28 people die in Colorado county jails, the highest number in years
- Many cases involved medical issues or withdrawal from drugs/alcohol
- State lawmakers passed new jail standards in 2024 requiring better medical screening and mental health care
The Mesa County Detention Center, built in 1989 and expanded in 2006, houses roughly 500 inmates on any given day. A 2023 state inspection found the facility “generally compliant” but noted staffing shortages that continue to plague jails nationwide.
Sheriff’s Office Responds
Sheriff Todd Rowell released a brief statement Wednesday afternoon: “Any loss of life in our custody is tragic. We are cooperating fully with the coroner’s investigation and have launched our own internal review.”
The sheriff’s office says all required welfare checks were performed on Treadwell and that video footage shows no unusual activity in her pod overnight.
Family members have hired Grand Junction attorney Andrew Boese to monitor the investigation. “They just want the truth,” Boese said. “Right now they have more questions than answers.”
The coroner’s final report, once toxicology results return, will determine whether Treadwell’s death is ruled natural, accidental, or undetermined.
Until then, a small Colorado community mourns a woman many feel was failed by a system meant to rehabilitate, not destroy.
What do you think about jail conditions in Colorado? Have you or someone you know experienced problems with local detention centers? Share your thoughts below, and if you’re discussing this story online, use #JeanTreadwell so others can find the conversation.
