On January 22, 2022, at approximately 5:34 am, the Henry County Jail staff was made aware of a female inmate suffering from an apparent medical emergency. Deputies responded to the inmate’s cell and began life-saving measures. The Henry County Department of Public Safety responded to the jail and continued those efforts until the inmate was pronounced dead.
The inmate was observed walking to her bunk to lay down at approximately 1:40 a.m. Deputies continued to make regularly scheduled rounds throughout the night, and nothing unusual was observed. Based on a review of the video, there were no apparent acts of violence that took place.
The decedent has been identified as Elizabeth Roxanne Mickles, 32, of Martinsville. The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Investigators alleged that Rebecca Lynn Stacey was aware that Mickles had consumed a suspected narcotic and became unresponsive. The jail staff was not notified, and Stacey allegedly prevented other inmates from summoning medical help for Mickles. As deputies continued to make regularly scheduled rounds throughout the night, Mickles’ condition was allegedly concealed.
Stacey, 25, of Spencer, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Mickles’ death. Stacey remains held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
In addition, it was discovered that Crystal Ann Grimsley, 34, of Bassett, was booked into the Henry County Jail on January 20. Upon entry to the Henry County Jail, Grimsley allegedly concealed a small quantity of narcotics within a body cavity. Grimsley was with the willful delivery of a controlled substance to a prisoner. She remains held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2,500 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
