Samuel James Nelson
Samuel James Nelson, 36, died on July 9, 2018, after a standoff with police that lasted about five hours on a hot day. He surrendered and was booked into the Grand Forks County Correctional Center at 6 p.m., and about an hour later he was found unresponsive and taken to Altru Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. Jail Administrator Bret Burkholder, citing the Grand Forks County coroner, attributed the death to excited delirium associated with methamphetamine toxicity and prolonged exposure to a hot environment. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation's review was still listed as active, while Burkholder said he had been told verbally that it was complete.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose. Jail administrator Bret Burkholder, citing the Grand Forks County coroner, attributes the death to methamphetamine toxicity and heat exposure.
Reported by: Jail Administrator Bret Burkholder, Grand Forks County Correctional Center (the agency that held him); Grand Forks County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); news report.