Steven Illmann
Steven Illmann, 60, of Lane County, died at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras, Oregon, on June 22, 2024. Jason Tixier, a fellow person held at the prison who worked as Illmann's unit orderly, says Illmann had ongoing cardiac issues that staff had been told about, and that Tixier found him unresponsive in his cell on June 4. Oregon State Police, citing the Medical Examiner's Office, say he died of natural causes. Relatives and other people held at the prison say medical care there is failing, and the Department of Corrections said it has not located complaints from Deer Ridge inmates.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Medical Examiner's Office, cited by Oregon State Police, ruled natural causes, but relatives and other inmates say medical care at the facility is failing, and a fellow inmate says staff were told about Illmann's ongoing cardiac issues.
Reported by: Oregon State Police, citing the Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Jason Tixier, a fellow inmate and assisted living orderly (witnesses); Illmann's relatives (family or their lawyers); Oregon Department of Corrections (the agency that held him).