Evidence found at the scene indicates she committed suicide
Frederick, Md. (DG)- The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a female inmate at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.
Investigators say 32-year-old Ava Michelle Ricketts from Hagerstown was found dead in her cell at 5:30 PM on Saturday by another inmate. Correctional officers immediately used life-saving efforts on Ricketts but they were unsuccessful.
Evidence found at the scene indicates Ricketts committed suicide. She was in a mandatory 14-day COVID quarantine which is protocol for all new inmates. Authorities say there was no indication that she was a threat to herself and she was not placed on a suicide watch. Detention center staff made all the required checks throughout the day and the last contact they had with Ricketts was at 5:15 PM.
Ricketts was arrested on December 21, 2020, and was in the detention center awaiting trial on 10 different charges in Frederick County.