Anchorage woman dies in Mat-Su jail

PALMER — A 37-year-old inmate died at the Mat-Su Pretrial detention facility Monday morning, authorities said.

Tina Rochdi of Anchorage was brought into the facility intoxicated and taken to a local medical facility to ensure she was healthy enough to be taken into custody, according to Department of Corrections spokesperson Sherrie Daigle.

Rochdi is suspected to have died of natural causes, though a conclusive determination won’t be available until the State Medical Examiner files his report, Daigle said.

Alaska State Troopers responded to a CPR-in-progress call about 7 a.m., and don’t suspect foul play according to media releases. DOC staff had discovered Rochdi in her cell about 6:30 a.m., according to reports. Rochdi’s body has been released to the State Medical Examiner’s office, and the investigation is ongoing, troopers said.

Rochdi was arraigned Sunday morning in District Court about 10 a.m. in Palmer on a parole violation stemming from a felony DUI case arising in July 2013 in Anchorage. She had been scheduled for a Superior Court arraignment Monday afternoon, court documents show.