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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

TBI investigates Marion County jail inmate’s death

File photo by Ryan Lewis / The Marion County Justice Center is in Jasper, Tenn.
File photo by Ryan Lewis / The Marion County Justice Center is in Jasper, Tenn. File photo by Ryan Lewis / The Marion County Justice Center is in Jasper, Tenn.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of a 37-year-old female inmate who died after collapsing Sunday at the Marion County Justice Center in Jasper, Tennessee.

Marion County Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett said inmate Crystal Thurman had been arrested Jan. 29 on a probation violation warrant related to a joy riding charge.

Burnett said Thurman was found with suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in her possession when she was booked into the jail Sunday and that resulted in an additional felony allegation against her for introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

During intake, Thurman answered “no” to the routine medical questions posed to all inmates as they are booked in, Burnett said. Those questions and answers were part of materials and information turned over to the TBI, he said.

“On Sunday she had seen the nurse at the jail about some issues,” he said. Burnett didn’t describe the nature of Thurman’s conversation with the nurse.