August 7, 2020
The
Richmond Police Department is investigating a sudden death that occurred at a
hospital in the City of Richmond.
At
approximately 12:34 p.m., Wednesday, August 5th, the Chesterfield
County Police Department was called to the 20900 block of Truth Drive in the
County of Chesterfield for a welfare check of an adult female, Marsha G. Smith.
While on the scene, CCPD officers consulted with Chesterfield County
Mental Health Services. It was later determined Ms. Smith should be placed into emergency
custody. CCPD officers were able to do so without incident. She was transported
by Chesterfield County Fire & EMS to a Richmond hospital. Shortly after she
arrived, she passed away.
And exact
cause and manner of death will be determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s
Medical Examiner.
The
Richmond Police Department’s Force Investigation Team, (FIT) - which
investigates all sudden deaths of persons who are in police custody regardless
of the cause - will prepare a report for review by Chief Gerald M. Smith and
the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
The
Richmond Police Department is leading the investigation since Smith died in a
Richmond City hospital while in the custody of the Chesterfield County Police
Department.
It is
important to note that while there is a group home in Smith’s neighborhood, she
lived privately in a separate residence nearby.
