Jailed suspect dies before extradition

A suburban Milwaukee optometrist awaiting extradition to Minnesota on a murder charge was found dead in his jail cell Friday.

Last update: September 15, 2007 - 12:11 AM

A suburban Milwaukee optometrist awaiting extradition to Minnesota on a murder charge was found dead in his jail cell Friday.

Dean Barrette, 44, of Cudahy, had cellophane wrapped around his head and was unresponsive when a jailer pulled the covers off him, said Kim Brooks, spokeswoman for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. She said attempts to revive Barrette failed and he was pronounced dead at 12:50 p.m.

He apparently had saved cellophane that is used to cover meals, Brooks said. Barrette was evaluated when he arrived at the jail Aug. 10, she said, and "there was no indication of suicidal tendencies."

Authorities didn't release a cause of death, pending autopsy results expected today.

"There is no evidence of foul play," Brooks said.

He was charged in the slaying of Alison Daniels, 24, of East Lansing, Mich. Her body was found at the Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis.

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