On July 30, the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office reported the in-custody death of Helen Dykes, 48, an inmate awaiting trial on possession of weapon/ammunition by a convicted felon at the Okeechobee County Detention Facility.
During an inmate check/count, Dykes was found in a severe state of distress from an attempt to take her own life.
Life-saving attempts (CPR and using an AED) by detention deputies were made but failed, and she was pronounced deceased by EMS personnel.
The medical examiner was called in, and the case will remain open until their office classifies a cause of death.
