A Lawrence County woman recently sentenced to life in prison has died while in custody at the Lawrence County Jail, according to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said jail staff was alerted Tuesday to a woman unresponsive in a jail cell.
When correctional officers arrived, the woman was unresponsive and not breathing. The jail nurse was on duty and was notified, and the woman was determined to be dead. The sheriff’s office said it appears she died during the overnight hours.
The woman was identified as 70-year-old Susie Ella Stovall.
Stovall pleaded guilty to felony murder and arson in connection with the 2015 death of her husband, Arzel Gene Stovall, who was found dead after a fire at their home.
Stovall was sentenced to life in prison. The judge ordered 3,759 days of jail credit for time already served. Records also show the sentence includes a $10,000 fine, $1,200 in appointed attorney fees, and additional court costs.
Jail records indicate Stovall was awaiting transport from the Lawrence County Jail to a state prison to serve her sentence.
As is standard policy for deaths in custody, the sheriff’s office said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has been asked to conduct the investigation. An autopsy has been ordered.