Friends, Relatives Want Answers In Cleveland Co. Inmate Death

Family and friends of a Cleveland County inmate who died over the weekend want answers about her death.

Moore Police said they arrested Rebekah Reed on Saturday night and booked her into the jail on outstanding warrants.

Within hours, Reed was dead.

"She was a firecracker, she was a firecracker, that's the only word I can use to describe her," a friend of Reed's said.

She did not want to be identified but said she was Reed's lifelong friend, and she cannot believe the 36-year-old is dead.

"I'm still confused because it just does not make any sense," she said.

2/23/2014 Related Story: Woman Dies In Cleveland County Jail Cell

According to Reed's arrest report, Moore Police went to a home in the 2400 block of Truitt St. on Saturday around 9:40 p.m. in reference to an assault and battery disturbance.

Officers arrested Reed on outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court.

The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office said Reed was booked at 10:28 p.m. and underwent a routine medical checkup.

The Sheriff's Office said the medical staff reported Reed had no visible injuries, they checked her vitals, asked about her medical history, then cleared her for lockup because there were no red flags.

Reed was found unresponsive in her jail cell around 4:30 a.m. and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

"There aren't really any answers other than she died in custody," Reed's friend told News 9.

The friend said Reed had no pre-existing conditions, and she wondered why Reed was in a cell by herself.

The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office said jail staff checked on Reed every 15 minutes, which is common practice, and that Reed had her own cell because that was where there was room.

"Maybe they're just trying to be careful so there isn't any more scrutiny, and understandably, however, they need to answer some questions because it does make it seem way more suspicious," the friend added.

The Medical Examiner will determine Reed's cause of death.

This is the second in-custody death in the metro in a week.

2/18/2014 Related Story: Moore Police Hold News Conference Concerning In-Custody Death