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Woman, 44, dies in Muscogee County Jail nearly two months after another death

A 44-year-old woman died Friday at the Muscogee County Jail, according to a Facebook post from Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman.

Countryman said Kimberly Golden was found unresponsive in her cell at the Muscogee County Jail.

Columbus Fire & EMS along with the Muscogee County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, according to the post.

“The GBI was called to the scene as is part of our standard protocol to investigate the incident,” Countryman said in the post.

Countryman said sheriff’s office investigators will work a parallel investigation alongside the GBI.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the results of Golden’s autopsy are still pending.

Previous death of woman in Muscogee County Jail

In April, 20-year-old Xaniya Muse died in the Muscogee County Jail after being found unresponsive in her cell.

The GBI was called in to investigate the incident with MCSO Special Operations Investigators working a parallel investigation alongside the GBI, according to Countryman.

Bryan said at the time that he didn’t expect foul play.

Muse’s manner of death was natural and was caused by complications of diffused peritonitis perforated gastric pyloric ulcer, Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer on Monday.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 10:35 AM.

Kelby Hutchison
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.
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