Friday, August 7, 2020

Death Investigation

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.