Helena woman dies while in custody at Birmingham City Jail

Helena woman dies while in custody at Birmingham City Jail

An investigation is underway after a 53-year-old Birmingham City Jail inmate died while in custody on Tuesday.

Just after 10 p.m., jail staff found Tambrala Smith, of Helena, unresponsive in her cell, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

A Birmingham City Jail nurse performed CPR on Smith however Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced the inmate dead on the scene.

Fitzgerald said there was no sign of foul play.

South Precinct officers took Smith into custody Monday, August 7, about 9:30 p.m., in the 200 Block of Oxmoor Place. She was charged with public intoxication.

Police Chief Scott Thurmond has asked the State Bureau of Investigation to help with the probe.

“The Birmingham Police Department would like to express our sincere condolences to Ms. Smith’s family during this difficult time,’’ a police statement read.