Key Takeaways
- • Arkansas State Police (ASP) is investigating two separate in-custody deaths occurring within an 11-day window in July 2026—one in West Memphis on July 26 and one in Fayetteville on July 15—both involving individuals arrested by local law enforcement agencies.
- • Tony Sanders, 40, of West Memphis, died after officers apprehended him for fleeing police and disorderly conduct following a hospital incident; he became unresponsive while in custody at Crittenden County Sheriff's Department and died at Crittenden Baptist Hospital despite CPR intervention.
- • Jordan Ferchow, 36, of Fayetteville, died at Washington County Regional Hospital after exhibiting symptoms consistent with possible drug ingestion while in custody at Washington County Detention Center; she had been arrested by University of Arkansas Police for driving on a suspended license during a DWI suspension and multiple traffic violations.
- • Both investigations remain ongoing with no additional information released by authorities, limiting transparency regarding cause of death and circumstances surrounding the custody-related fatalities.
Summary
The Arkansas State Police is conducting parallel investigations into two separate in-custody deaths that occurred in West Memphis and Fayetteville during mid-to-late July 2026. The cases involve individuals who died while under the custody of local law enforcement and detention facilities, raising scrutiny over in-custody procedures and medical response protocols across Arkansas jurisdictions.
The first death occurred on Sunday, July 26, when West Memphis Police Department requested ASP assistance following the death of Tony Sanders, a 40-year-old resident. Sanders came into police contact after officers responded to a report of a man attempting to break into an ambulance at Crittenden Baptist Hospital. Upon arrival, Sanders fled on foot into a nearby field. Officers apprehended Sanders and arrested him for Fleeing and Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, where he subsequently became unresponsive. Officers administered CPR and contacted Crittenden County EMS. Sanders was transported to Crittenden Baptist Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him deceased.
The second case involves Jordan Ferchow, 36, of Fayetteville, who died on July 15 at Washington County Regional Hospital. Ferchow was processed into the Washington County Detention Center at approximately 12:15 a.m. following arrest by University of Arkansas Police Department for driving on a suspended driver's license during a DWI suspension and multiple traffic violations. While in custody, Ferchow exhibited symptoms consistent with possible drug ingestion and was transported by EMS to Washington County Regional Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her deceased.
Both investigations remain active and ongoing, with state police declining to release additional details regarding causes of death, autopsy findings, or any preliminary conclusions. The dual investigations highlight potential questions regarding custody procedures, medical screening, and emergency response protocols across multiple Arkansas law enforcement agencies, though authorities have not disclosed specific investigative findings or timelines for case resolution.
The first death occurred on Sunday, July 26, when West Memphis Police Department requested ASP assistance following the death of Tony Sanders, a 40-year-old resident. Sanders came into police contact after officers responded to a report of a man attempting to break into an ambulance at Crittenden Baptist Hospital. Upon arrival, Sanders fled on foot into a nearby field. Officers apprehended Sanders and arrested him for Fleeing and Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, where he subsequently became unresponsive. Officers administered CPR and contacted Crittenden County EMS. Sanders was transported to Crittenden Baptist Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him deceased.
The second case involves Jordan Ferchow, 36, of Fayetteville, who died on July 15 at Washington County Regional Hospital. Ferchow was processed into the Washington County Detention Center at approximately 12:15 a.m. following arrest by University of Arkansas Police Department for driving on a suspended driver's license during a DWI suspension and multiple traffic violations. While in custody, Ferchow exhibited symptoms consistent with possible drug ingestion and was transported by EMS to Washington County Regional Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her deceased.
Both investigations remain active and ongoing, with state police declining to release additional details regarding causes of death, autopsy findings, or any preliminary conclusions. The dual investigations highlight potential questions regarding custody procedures, medical screening, and emergency response protocols across multiple Arkansas law enforcement agencies, though authorities have not disclosed specific investigative findings or timelines for case resolution.
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