On September 19th, 2026, Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Fort Wayne Post were requested by the Wells County Sheriff’s Department to begin an investigation after an inmate in the Wells County Jail was found unresponsive in her jail cell.
The initial investigation indicated that Wells County Jail Inmate Sue D. Stuchell, 66 of Markle, Indiana was arrested on September 15th, 2026 and had remained incarcerated in the jail until she was found unresponsive in her cell in the early morning hours of September 19th, 2026.
Upon finding her unresponsive, jail staff immediately began rendering first aid and contacted local first responders. Stuchell was later pronounced deceased by medics on scene.
The investigation has indicated that Stuchell was alone in her cell when she became unresponsive and there is no indication that foul play on the part of any other inmates or jail staff occurred prior to her going unresponsive.
Next of Kin notification has been made and the Wells County Coroner has approved the release of her name.
The investigation remains ongoing. The results of the autopsy and toxicology tests are still pending.
Mercer County Outlook 