Fugitive dies in custody, escapee took drugs hours before turning herself in, police say

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — An inmate who escaped while on work furlough died just hours after turning herself back into the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Debra Ercolano, 55, called JSO at 4 p.m. Monday saying she wanted to surrender herself and declined JSO's offer to pick her up, JSO Director Tom Hackney said.

She was dropped off at the Duval County Jail in a gold car and afterward, Ercolano told officers she didn't feel well. Ercolano also told police she had taken heroin, and also told police she has a history of using meth, cocaine and an opioid with the street name Krokodil.

JSO got medical help for Ercolano. She was checked out and released.

On the way back to the jail, Ercolano again complained about feeling bad, Hackney said.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was called to help and Ercolano was transported to UF Health Jacksonville, where she died.

Hackney said Ercolano's family in New Jersey said she has a history of heart issues.

Ercolano initially escaped from a work furlough program on Thursday. Officers were "notified of a strap violation for the inmate's ankle bracelet" and began searching her place of employment in the 1800 block of Lane Avenue and she was not found.

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