CARROLLTON - State Highway Patrol investigators are examining the sudden death of a North Carrollton resident on Saturday, shortly after her arrest by Carroll County law officers.
Debbie Loggins, approximately age 30, of North Carrollton, died around 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. at Grenada Lake Medical Center, Sheriff Don Gray said today.
The Highway Patrol is an outside agency, so it is investigating the death, Gray said.
On Saturday, deputies took Loggins into custody, following a complaint about fighting. She was transported to the sheriff's office in Carrollton and then to jail in Grenada.
Deputy Chuck Jones, who left her temporarily in the patrol car at the Grenada jail, returned to find her unconscious, the sheriff said.
Officers responded early Saturday morning after receiving a call about a fight outside the residence of Bill and Brenda Wood, three miles north of Carrollton.
Chief Deputy Michael Spellman, the first to respond, found a wrecked vehicle. Gray said Loggins allegedly had Patricia McChristian in a headlock.
When Spellman intervened, Loggins became "very combative" both physically and verbally, according to Gray.
McChristian was quickly subdued, the sheriff said.
Deputy David Mims arrived shortly after Spellman, and together they attempted to handcuff Loggins and place her in a squad car.
Loggins continued to struggle, so they put leg shackles on her.
The woman continued to kick, said Gray, so the deputies put a third restraint on her, linking the handcuffs and the leg shackles.
"It was the only way to get control of her to transport her here," the sheriff said.
Loggins was taken to the jail in Grenada because Carroll County does not have its own lock-up for housing females.
Jones left Loggins in the car to fetch guards. When he returned, Gray said, the woman was unconscious, and Jones started cardiopulmonary resuscitation as the others called for an ambulance.
An autopsy has been conducted by Mississippi Mortuary Services, and Gray expects the results today.
"I suspect drugs and alcohol were involved. But I'm waiting for the autopsy results," Gray said.
