Nicholas A. Middleton-Ensign
Nicholas A. Middleton-Ensign, 19, of Longview, died on July 28, 2022, at the Cowlitz County Jail, where he was being held. Jail staff found him unresponsive about three hours after he arrived at the jail, and he was declared dead that day. According to Jail Director Marin Fox, citing the autopsy and the coroner, fentanyl toxicity was the cause of death, with methamphetamine intoxication listed as another significant condition, and the coroner ruled the death an accident. Fox said the jail found no evidence he took drugs after he was brought in. The jail is completing a required unexpected fatality review.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose. The jail director says the autopsy listed fentanyl toxicity as the cause, with methamphetamine intoxication as another significant condition, and the coroner ruled the death an accident.
Reported by: Cowlitz County Jail Director Marin Fox (the agency that held him); Cowlitz County coroner (medical examiner or coroner).