Family of Black Woman Who Died in Detroit Police Custody Pleads for Answers

The family of 38-year-old black woman Priscilla Slater are demanding answers after she died in her holding cell following her arrest by Detroit police. WXYZ Detroit reports that Slater died on Wednesday in her cell at Harper Woods police headquarters, and so far a cause of death hasn’t been announced. Police claim she was discovered unresponsive around midday on Wednesday, and her family was informed by 6:30 p.m. in the evening.

“I’m mad about it and I just want justice for Priscilla,” said her aunt Jennifer Rand. “It sounds like it’s a coverup like they’re covering something up.” Medics reportedly attempted to revive her in her cell, but she was later taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her body has since been taken to the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office. “It’s very unusual and they’re not giving us a reason why they took her to jail,” her family added.

Apparently, Slater was arrested on Tuesday at the Parkcrest Inn, but so far the police haven’t given a reason for her arrest. “She died unnecessarily,” her family added. “This does not feel good. When you care about a person, you raise them and out of nowhere they’re gone.” On Friday, the family plans to go to the Harper Woods police department to demand answers.