BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Authorities are investigating the death of a 47-year-old woman who was found unresponsive inside the Birmingham City Jail on Tuesday morning. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed the death and said the circumstances surrounding what happened remain under review as multiple agencies work to gather answers.
The woman was identified as Tyeshia Jann Hutchins, a Black female and resident of Birmingham. According to the coroner, Hutchins was discovered unresponsive inside her private cell at the Birmingham City Jail, located at 425 6th Avenue South. Jail staff found her at approximately 10:53 a.m. on January 28, 2026, and immediately notified authorities.
Medical personnel responded to the scene, but Hutchins was pronounced dead at the jail at 11:05 a.m., just minutes after she was found. Officials have not said how long she had been in custody prior to her death, and no information has been released about why she was being held at the facility.
An autopsy was conducted on January 29, 2026, by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. According to officials, the examination found no signs of trauma or foul play associated with Hutchins’ death. Investigators said there were no visible injuries that would suggest she was harmed by another person.
While the initial autopsy results ruled out trauma, the coroner’s office said the final cause of death is still pending. Additional laboratory studies are being conducted to determine what may have contributed to her passing. Officials did not provide a timeline for when those results are expected to be completed.
The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding Hutchins’ death, as is standard procedure for any in-custody death. Authorities have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. As the case continues, officials say more information will be shared once it becomes available, as family members and the community await answers about what led to Hutchins’ death inside the city jail.
