Russell James Simon Jr.
Russell James Simon Jr. was a former motivational speaker who had tried to turn his life around and turned to religion for help. His girlfriend, Laurie Schaefer, said they were very close, talked every day by phone, and that he was a very loving person who loved his son. On January 16, 2023, while he was held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center in Rochester, Minnesota, a detention deputy found him not breathing during a well-being check around 5 a.m., and he died there. Early reports said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was investigating and an autopsy would determine the cause of death. In May 2023, the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office said the medical examiner and the Minnesota BCA had determined the death was from natural causes.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The regional medical examiner ruled the death natural causes, as the sheriff's office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported.
Reported by: Olmsted County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (outside investigators).
Sources (7)
- Inmate found dead at Olmsted County jail, BCA investigating
- Inmate dies in Olmsted County Adult Detention Center; BCA investigating
- BCA investigating inmate death in Olmsted County
- Inmate dies in Olmsted County jail
- Man dies at Olmsted County Jail; second death in 2023 - FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Medical Examiner Determines Olmsted County Detainee's Death Cause - KROC-AM
- Inmate who died at Olmsted Co. Adult Detention Center died of natural causes