Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon spoke to KATU about an incident at the county jail. During a routine security check at 5:10 a.m., deputies found Tina Ketcham unresponsive in her cell. She was hanging, and officers quickly called for medics while trying to save her life.
Paramedics from Albany Fire Department arrived at 5:18 a.m., but Ketcham was soon pronounced dead. Officials confirmed her death but shared no further details, as the investigation was still ongoing.
Ketcham was facing serious charges, including multiple counts of first-degree offenses. Prosecutor Keith Stein stated that the actual number of incidents could have been much higher. He told the court, “Hundreds of charges could have been brought.”
Ketcham was accused of crimes that allegedly took place between 2015 and January 2020. That’s when the victim came forward and reported the case to the police. Ketcham denied all accusations.
To protect the victim’s identity, authorities did not reveal how Ketcham knew the boy. However, they confirmed that she had been familiar with him when the incidents allegedly began.
Earlier this month, Ketcham requested a bail reduction from $350,000 to $50,000, but the judge denied her request. She remained in jail while waiting for her next court hearing.
Ketcham’s attorney, Stephen Doyle, argued that she was not a flight risk because she had a business stake. He also said that bail would have allowed her to attend counseling.
If convicted, Ketcham could have faced decades in prison. However, she took her own life before her case could move forward.