Critical incident deaths in Huron Valley women’s prison at 5-year high

Three deaths were under investigation in June, when the warden took personal leave. Since then two more inmates have died.

DOC states they've changed how "critical incident deaths" are categorized.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/deaths-in-huron-valley-women-s-prison-at-5-year-high/ar-AA26ywA5

Critical incident deaths in Huron Valley women’s prison at 5-year high

Jordyn Pair    |     July 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from the Michigan Department of Corrections. While the number of deaths reported as critical incidents are up, the overall number of deaths, including those resulting from terminal illnesses, are not.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A Michigan prison under fire for a slew of recent deaths experienced a five-year peak for natural fatalities classified as critical incidents last year.

The Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility had a total of four deaths in 2025, the highest number of deaths since 2018 and the highest number of natural deaths in a decade, according to critical incident data from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

These numbers do not include deaths that are not classified as critical incidents, expected deaths of prisoners with cancer or terminal conditions.

When looking at the total number of deaths, six were recorded each of the last three years, in 2025, 2024 and 2023. In 2022, there were five and so far this year there have been three, the Department of Corrections reported.

“The department takes the safety and security of those under our supervision very seriously and has comprehensive processes and medical protocols for health emergencies,” the department said in an emailed statement. “This includes processes for assessing patient health by qualified onsite staff, requesting outside emergency medical services if needed, and conducting life-saving measures.”

Thorough investigations are conducted for all unexpected deaths of incarcerated people and all deaths are referred to the medical examiner who will determine whether an autopsy is warranted, if the department has not already requested one, the department reported.

The facility has caught the attention of state officials after three women died suddenly in May and early June.

Ashley Hoath, 36, died June 6 at Trinity Health Hospital several hours after being transferred from the correctional facility’s medical unit, according to a previous statement from Jenni Riehle, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Rebecca Fackler, 57, died on May 17, four days after the death of Khaira Howard, 28. Howard was one of multiple inmates who expressed concern about alleged toxic mold at the prison.

Read more: Women’s Huron Valley warden takes leave amid investigation of 3 inmate deaths

The graph below represents deaths classified as critical incidents. It does not include deaths from terminal illnesses.

Reports for non-assault-based critical incidents, which are published annually, include a variety of data, including the number of suicide attempts, drug overdoses and escape attempts, among fatality information.

There were no homicides and two suicides reported among inmates between 2016 and 2025, according to the critical incident reports.

Across all Department of Corrections facilities, the total number of deaths were up in 2025, to 138 from 125 in 2024. There were 120 recorded in 2023 and in 2022, there were 130, according to the department. So far in 2026, there have been 54.

Mold Quest International, hired as a third-party contractor as part of ongoing litigation related to mold allegations, recently found air quality results were normal at nearly all locations tested, according to previous reporting.

An investigation into the 2026 deaths is ongoing, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office previously said.