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Family Seeks Justice After Tara Williams' Tragic Death in Custody

KVIA••Olivia Vara
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At a recent town hall meeting, the family of Tara Williams confronted Sheriff Oscar Ugarte regarding her suicide while in custody, despite being placed on suicide watch. Rosalie Vicenti, Williams' mother, expressed her anguish over the delay in notification about her daughter's death, which occurred four days prior. As a member of the Hickory Apache Tribe, Vicenti highlighted the cultural significance of timely burial, which was hindered by the Sheriff's Office's communication. Tara Williams was one of ten in-custody deaths reported in 2025, prompting concerns about the facility's safety protocols. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office stated that all in-custody deaths are investigated in compliance with state law.

Key Details: • Tara Williams died in custody; family notified four days later. • Sheriff's Office confirmed ten in-custody deaths in 2025. • Rosalie Vicenti emphasizes the need for timely communication for cultural burial practices.

sheriff jail native-american custody-death suicide

People & Organizations

El Paso County Sheriff's OfficeOscar UgarteTara WilliamsRosalie VicentiTexas Commission on Jail StandardsTexas Attorney General’s Office

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