John W. Wilkie Jr.
John W. Wilkie Jr., 42, died in a cell at the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota, on May 16, 2015. Police had been called to his home over a report that he was suicidal, and he was taken to the jail for detoxification, where he was found dead about six hours later. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson attributed the death to suicide by a mixture of medications, and the state investigation found no charges would be filed. His family disputes that the response was adequate, saying he should have been taken to a hospital, and has sent notice of intent to seek damages.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson attributed the death to suicide by a mixture of medications, while his family disputes the adequacy of the response and says he should have been taken to a hospital instead of jail.
Reported by: North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (outside investigators); Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson; his family.