Natasha Marie Roark
Natasha Marie Roark, 39, was a marine biologist who grew up in Florida, a widow and the mother of three daughters. She died on August 11, 2021, at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, after an officer found her hanging in a housing unit shower area and medics could not save her. The Michigan Department of Corrections said the death was a suicide, and state police and the department are investigating. Her mother disputes that she would have killed herself and has asked that the death be investigated as a possible homicide.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The Michigan Department of Corrections says Natasha Marie Roark died by suicide by hanging, while her mother disputes that she would have killed herself and has asked that the death be investigated as a possible homicide.
Reported by: Michigan Department of Corrections, spokesman Chris Gautz (the agency that held her); Michigan State Police (outside investigators); Natasha Roark's mother (family or their lawyers).