21-year-old inmate dies at Mississippi Co. Detention Center

CHARLESTON, MO (KFVS) - Authorities launch an investigation after a 21-year-old woman held on suspicion of DUI died at the Mississippi County Detention Center.

Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker says officers found a young woman, Somer Dawn Nunnally, dead in her cell Sunday morning around 6 a.m.

Sheriff Keith Moore says Nunnally was brought in for DUI after a fender bender Saturday night. She was initially stopped by Charleston police.

Parker also says there were no signs of foul play and no injury or trauma. Now, authorities will wait for a second round of toxicology results to determine the exact cause of death.

Moore says the inmate was checked on regularly throughout the night and did not show indication of being physically sick.

Sheriff Moore says they took her to the hospital after she came into their custody and doctors cleared her of any physical injuries or other trauma and they took her back to the jail.

Moore says jail staff checked on her often through the night. When the second shift came in at 6 a.m., that's when she did not respond.

He says no foul play is suspected and cameras and reports showed Nunnally wasn't hurt while she was there. He says jail staff always checks on inmates consistently and sit not far from the cells.

Parker says toxicology results could take a few weeks.

"It's just a tragedy," said Sheriff Moore. "And, we want to know what happened too."

For Nunnally's family they say she was loved and cherished by all who knew her. They want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

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