Overview

• Markeisha Monique Renee Blount, 31, suffered a medical emergency on Sept. 29 at the Maple Street Correctional Center and died despite naloxone and lifesaving efforts by staff.
• Sheriff’s investigators identified inmate Ashley “Ashly” J. Gromnicki, 34, as the suspected source of drugs believed to contain fentanyl and said she remains in custody on contraband and narcotics charges as the District Attorney reviews a potential murder case.
• The San Mateo County Coroner has not issued an official cause of death, and parallel investigations by the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney and Coroner are continuing.
• Following the death, deputies conducted specialized sweeps for contraband and reported arrests linked to attempts to smuggle drugs and a phone into county jails.
• Officials note Maple Street is operating near capacity after transfers from the Maguire facility, and Blount’s case marks the seventh in-custody death since Sheriff Christina Corpus took office, including a March overdose.