Crime & fire.
A death investigation is underway after a Bucks County Corrections inmate died last month at a local hospital while receiving treatment.
County officials confirmed that Ashley Gushue, 37, of Bristol Township, died March 21 at Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital.
According to the Bucks County Coroner’s Office and PhillyBurbs.com, Gushue had been transported by ambulance the day prior for what was described as a medical event and was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m.
The cause and manner of death remain pending, officials said. The county publicly acknowledged the death two days later in a brief statement that did not initially identify the inmate.
Gushue had been in custody since March 3 after being arrested on a bench warrant and was awaiting a hearing related to alleged probation violations, per the report.
Court records show prior cases involving misdemeanor drug charges and summary offenses, as well as participation in a diversionary program that authorities later said she violated.
Her death marks the first inmate death reported in Bucks County since 2024. County data indicates that over the past 15 years, dozens of individuals have died while in custody, with most cases ruled natural causes or suicide.
