The altercation between Jema Schunke and Virginia Hampton happened sometime Friday, Aug. 15, which left Schunke injured and unresponsive, according to JSO.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Duval County jail inmate died Friday one week after a fight with a cellmate, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release.
Police said the altercation between Jema Schunke, 47, and Virginia Hampton, 58, happened at the pre-trial detention facility sometime Friday, Aug. 15, which left Schunke injured and unresponsive.
During routine rounds and counts of inmates, police said officers found Schunke lying in her cell and rendered emergency medical aid. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department took her to the hospital, where she was admitted and received treatment for several days. Jail administration was notified that Schunke’s injuries were potentially life-threatening.
Members of JSO’s Cold Case Unit were notified and began investigating the incident. Police said the investigation found Schunke and Hampton, who were cellmates, had gotten into a physical altercation. Following an interview with detectives, Hampton was re-arrested for battery within a detention facility.
Police said that Schunke was also involved in a separate altercation with another inmate earlier in the week, and investigators are looking into that incident as well.
After days of treatment, police said Schunke’s condition worsened, and she was pronounced dead Friday.
Detectives are working with the Medical Examiner’s Office as the investigation continues into the cause of Schunke’s death. The results of the investigation will determine whether more charges will be filed as a result of her death.