VIRGINIA BEACH

Authorities are investigating the deaths of two inmates at the city jail since December.

The most recent was last Jan. 23, when Charlene Williams, 45, was pronounced dead. Lisa Godley, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, di d not provide details about the death and cited privacy regulations.

Williams is the first person to die in custody this year. In 2006, one death was reported at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, compared with three in 2007.

Last year's incidents included an inmate who died of natural causes and another who died of methamphetamine poisoning from drugs he had ingested before he was taken into custody.

The third death happened Dec. 24 when inmates summoned deputies to the cell of Jonathan Stephen.

The 20-year-old man was later pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation proved inconclusive.

Jail officials said they wouldn't know what happened to Stephen until toxicology results are returned.

Staff writer Jennifer Jiggetts contributed to this report.

Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com