The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating after a man was found unresponsive in a northern Minnesota jail cell and subsequently died.
Darrin Tiessen, 35, was booked into the St. Louis County jail just before 11 p.m. Jan. 25 over failing to appear for a previous court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Two days later, a corrections officer conducting a welfare check at 1 a.m. found Tiessen unresponsive in his jail cell. Tiessen was alone in the cell, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said.
Staff administered care on-site, including performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator to obtain a heartbeat. Tiessen was taken to Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Tiessen did not regain consciousness and died at the hospital Jan. 30.
Tiessen was born in Duluth and was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. He found peace in the outdoors and he enjoyed being with his loved ones, according to his online obituary.
“We extend our condolences to Mr. Tiessen’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA conduct the investigation into Tiessen’s death.
