Abonesh Woldegeorges
Abonesh Woldegeorges, a 73-year-old woman who had been experiencing homelessness, died on August 27, 2023, while held at the Arlington County jail in Virginia. Sources say she was found unresponsive in her cell on the morning of that Sunday, and deputies called fire and rescue, which took her to Virginia Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead. The Arlington County Police Department is investigating, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had not yet determined the cause and manner of death. The local NAACP branch has called for accountability and has cited her death in its concerns about the jail's care.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (neglect alleged). The county medical examiner had not determined the cause of death, and the NAACP Arlington Branch has called for accountability over the jail's care of her.
Reported by: Arlington County Police Department (the agency that held her); Arlington County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); NAACP Arlington Branch (advocates).
News reports (6)
- 73-Year-Old Woman Held On Trespassing Charges Dies At Arlington Jail
- NAACP says Arlington jail inmates are ‘dying at an alarming rate’
- Eight people have died in the Arlington jail in eight years. Five were homeless.
- Homeless 73-year-old dies while being held in Arlington County jail in Northern Virginia
- NAACP Renews Call For Feds To Investigate Arlington Jail After Death
- Arlington County Board and Human Rights Commission clash over DOJ investigation letter