Woman who attempted suicide by hanging in Phoenix police van has died

PHOENIX (AP) -- Authorities say a woman who tried to commit suicide while in the custody of Phoenix police last week has died at a hospital.

Police say Yulma Violette was transported to a hospital in extremely critical condition on Oct. 12 and pronounced dead on Tuesday.

They say Violette was the only person in the back of the police van and officers found her unconscious and hanging by a shoelace from a vent upon arrival at a booking facility around 1:30 a.m.

She was being transported from one police station to a booking facility at another.

Police say officers cut her free and began life-saving efforts before rushing her to a hospital.

Violette was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage domestic violence, aggravated assault domestic violence and aggravated assault on police.