Media Release Title Screen

Update: Coroner Identifies Inmate Found Unresponsive at El Paso County Jail

SHR and Media Partners:

Below is the text found in the attached Sheriff’s Office Media Release:

At approximately 6:47 pm on July 24, 2025, a 47-year-old female (in custody) was found unresponsive in her cell at the El Paso County Jail.

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies and medical staff responded and began rendering lifesaving efforts and immediate medical care.

At approximately 6:57 pm, medical personnel from American Medical Response (AMR) and the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) arrived and assumed medical care of the individual, continuing life-saving efforts.

At 7:40 pm, the individual was pronounced deceased, and life-saving efforts ceased.

The deceased individual has been identified as 47-year-old Paula Orth.

Our Office extends our condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Sheriff Roybal has ordered an in-depth investigation into the incident. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division will conduct this investigation, adhering to the standards we provide for all citizens of El Paso County.

Upon initial investigation, there was no indication of self-harm, assault, or foul play.

Sheriff Roybal has requested an autopsy by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, which will also determine Ms. Orth’s cause and manner of death.

Recent News Articles

Eight Volunteers Earn Wildland Firefighter II Certification at El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Ceremony

This week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office recognized eight volunteers at a graduation ceremony at the Office of the Sheriff, celebrating their successful completion of the 2026 Wildland Fire Academy. Each graduate earned Firefighter II Certification. The hands-on, three-week academy began on October 10, 2026, and provided each cadet with more than 65 hours of classroom instruction and field

Read More »

Deputy Sheriff Arrested on Felony Charges

In November 2025, detectives from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division were alerted to the possibility a deputy assigned to the El Paso County Jail was facilitating the distribution of contraband throughout the facility. Detectives with the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) launched a months-long investigation which included executing multiple search warrants, conducting interviews, reviewing video footage, and reviewing

Read More »

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Partners with DEA for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies across the Pikes Peak region for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Community members are encouraged to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications at the following locations. Disposal

Read More »

Contact Information

Phone
(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm