MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) — The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is investigating the death of an adult in custody at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail, located at 11540 Northeast Inverness Drive in Portland.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the person who died as we move through this investigation,” said Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “Incidents like this can also impact MCSO employees and our partner agencies.”

“MCSO has policies and procedures that guide our response following an in-custody death, and those processes are underway to ensure we conduct a thorough investigation,” Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell added.

At approximately 2:40 a.m., on Wednesday December 24, 2025, deputies found an unresponsive adult in custody in a dorm. 

Deputies and Multnomah County Health Department Corrections Health personnel administered lifesaving measures. Paramedics from the Portland Fire Bureau and American Medical Response (AMR) continued medical care and transported the person to the hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts, the adult in custody died at the hospital.

In accordance with standard protocol, the East County Major Crimes Team was activated to conduct a death investigation. 

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office is leading the death investigation. The person’s age and identity will be released once their family has been notified. 

Information about how and why the person died will be shared after the Medical Examiner completes their investigation.

No additional information can be released at this time.

The East County Major Crimes Team includes detectives from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit, Port of Portland Police Department, Gresham Police Department and Oregon State Police.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

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