2 women die at York in separate incidents; foul play not suspected
East Lyme — In separate and likely not criminal incidents, two women incarcerated at the Janet S. York Correctional Institution died this week, state Department of Correction spokeswoman Karen Martucci said.
Martucci said staff found 53-year-old inmate Joyce Salters unresponsive in her cell about 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Salters, who had been incarcerated since May 2 on a charge of stealing a firearm, was alone in the cell.
Two days later, about 8:15 a.m., staff found 33-year-old inmate Desiree Diaz unresponsive in her cell. Martucci said the two inmates Diaz shared the cell with were present when staff found Diaz.
Groton Town police on Sunday charged town resident Diaz with breach of peace, criminal violation of a protective order and third-degree assault.
She had entered York on Monday, Martucci said.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether either woman was taken to the hospital.
Martucci said preliminary reports don’t indicate foul play in either case.
State police and the DOC’s Security Division are investigating both incidents, and the state Chief Medical Examiner’s Office will determine each cause of death.
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