The Region - News from Sept. 2, 1985

Toxicological tests are being performed on the body of a prison inmate whose death may be the first of a female with AIDS in the state penal system, authorities reported. The inmate was identified as Alexandria D’Allessandro, 28, who died at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco. The Riverside County coroner’s office said results of tests are pending. D’Allessandro was serving a three-year term for burglary and had been at the center since May. “Tissue cultures revealed a total breakdown of her immune system and configurations in her cell structure that are consistent with a diagnosis of AIDS,” said chief deputy coroner Carl B. Smith, who added that D’Allessandro had a history of intravenous drug use, which would put her at high risk of contracting acquired immune deficiency syndrome.