Inmate Death Notification – Retta Cruse

GOODYEAR (February 21, 2025) – Inmate Retta Cruse, 38, ADCRR #356590, died on Friday, February 21, 2025, from an apparent act of self-harm by hanging.

Prison staff discovered Cruse unresponsive in their housing unit on February 21, 2025, and conducted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived onsite. Responding paramedics, in consultation with medical staff, pronounced Cruse deceased.

Inmate Cruse was admitted to ADCRR custody in 2022 after being sentenced out of Maricopa County for two counts of First Degree Murder.

Her assigned housing location was ASPC-Perryville.

All inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner’s office. 

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