Oklahoma woman dies of apparent suicide in Midwest City jail

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) – Police in Midwest City say a woman has apparently taken her own life while being held at the Midwest City jail.

Police say 53-year-old Kathleen Collier-Melchior of Spencer was found dead in a cell early Sunday. She had been arrested on a complaint of driving under the influence at about 2:20 a.m. Her blood alcohol content was .19 percent, twice the legal limit of .08 percent.

During routine questioning, the woman indicated she was going to hurt herself. Jail staff removed her clothes, put her in a protective jail suit and placed her in a cell by herself. But she walked to a toilet area and was found dead in the cell about 3:45 a.m.

Police Chief Brandon Clabes says the staff took every precaution to ensure the woman’s safety.