An Unnamed Inmate Dies in Idaho’s Latah County’s Custody
In news out of Idaho, an inmate was discovered unresponsive in their cell in Latah County Jail on September 16, 2025, according to the Latah County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Deputies began lifesaving measures immediately. Emergency medical services (EMS) responded and took over the lifesaving efforts. The inmate was transported to the hospital, and their status was listed as critical for several days. Afterwards, at an unnamed time and date, under the direction of the next of kin, the detainee was pronounced deceased.
The name of the deceased is being withheld out of respect for the privacy of the inmate and their family. There is no information on the nature of the medical emergency the inmate suffered.
The Idaho State Police is handling the investigation into the death of the inmate. The LCSO is not planning to release any further information.
The address of the Yakima County Jail is 111 N Front St, Yakima, Washington 98901. The jail has an inmate capacity of 175.
Hien Trung Hua Died from Positional Asphyxia in Washington’s Yakima County Jail
After 46-year-old Hien Trung Hua died in 2023 during incarceration in Yakima County Jail for a misdemeanor charge, his family felt that his death investigation was rushed through without proper attention. Mr. Hua had struggled with mental health problems, and corrections officers allegedly treated him with excessive force. The family claims that Yakima County severely mistreated their loved one, which caused his death.
More specifically, the family alleges that the jail officers pepper-sprayed Mr. Hua in a hogtied position, they restrained him in chains, beat him, and forced him to the floor face down, where he took his last breaths. The family claims that Mr. Hua’s death resulted from improper treatment by jail personnel, and it was preventable. We make no assertion as to the truthfulness of the family’s allegations.
The investigation into Mr. Hua’s death came at a time when there was growing national concern regarding the treatment of mentally compromised inmates in correctional facilities and the use of restraint techniques that can result in death from positional asphyxia.
A Washington agency was established in 2021 specifically to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise when law enforcement agencies investigate incidents that involve investigation of their own personnel. That agency is the Office of Independent Investigations, and it became part of the investigative team looking into Mr. Hua’s death.
The case highlighted the ongoing difficulties in establishing workable jail protocols for handling detainees with mental health conditions. It is a question whether the training of corrections officers on how to manage such situations is adequate.
An article published on April 14, 2025, reveals that the family’s allegations were on track with what happened. In the minutes leading up to Hien Hua’s death, he was subjected to the following:
- Pepper-sprayed
- Tackled
- Shackled
- Struck by guards
- Restrained face down
The forensic pathologist who performed Mr. Hua’s autopsy changed his conclusion about how the death occurred. His final manner of death was changed to a finding of “negligent homicide” after watching jail surveillance video of the incident, which he had not previously watched.
The address of the Yakima County Jail is 111 N Front St, Yakima, Washington 98901. The inmate capacity at the Yakima County Jail & Annex is 175.
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