Bay Area Woman's In-Custody Death Investigated As A Homicide

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The sheriff's office announced Tuesday they are investigating the in-custody death of 31-year-old woman at a San Mateo County Jail as a homicide and have sent the case to the district attorney's office.

At around 6 a.m. on Sept. 29, San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies at the Maple Street Correctional Center said they responded to Markeisha Monique Renee Blount, who was incarcerated and experiencing a medical emergency in a housing unit.

Sheriff’s Office personnel said they immediately began administering lifesaving measures, including administering Narcan as a precaution, until medical staff arrived. Despite these efforts, Blount was pronounced dead at the correctional facility by medical personnel.

Sheriff’s detectives said they began investigating the death and learned a suspect currently in custody brought drugs containing fentanyl into the facility and gave them to Blount.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Markeisha’s family and loved ones during this unimaginable time,” said Sheriff Christina Corpus. “Fentanyl is a highly dangerous drug. Even the smallest amount can be deadly. We will not tolerate people bringing drugs into our facility and putting the safety of our employees, visitors and those in our custody at risk.”

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified Blount and is determining the official cause of death.

The suspect, Ashley “Ashly” J. Gromnicki, 34, had been in custody for charges related to narcotics and theft. Gromnicki remains in custody while the District Attorney’s Office reviews the case to potentially charge her with murder, police said.