Texas probing death in jail of woman with Chicago ties

HEMPSTEAD, Texas -- The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman whose loved ones are questioning authorities who say the 28-year-old arrested on a traffic violation hanged herself in a Texas county jail cell.

Sandra Bland was found dead Monday morning in a Waller County jail cell in Hempstead, about 60 miles northwest of Houston. The Harris County medical examiner has classified her death as suicide by hanging. She had been arrested Friday in Waller County on a charge of assaulting a public servant.

Trooper Erik Burse, a spokesman for the Texas Department Public Safety, told the Chicago Tribune that Bland was pulled over for failing to signal a lane change. He said she was outside the car and about to be issued a written warning when she kicked the officer and was arrested.

Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis, who said he had no information to think Bland's death wasn't a suicide, said Bland had traveled from Illinois to start a new job in Texas.