On January 2, 2016, at approximately 3:30 PM, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office correctional officers discovered an unresponsive male in a male dormitory. Lifesaving efforts were immediately started by jail staff. The Mason City Ambulance and Fire Department was also called to provide medical assistance. The man was unable to be revived.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was asked to assist in this death investigation. An autopsy is scheduled at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa.
No further information will be released at this time.
This is the second male inmate found unresponsive within about a month in the Cerro Gordo jail. Last December 1, Dakota Witham was found deceased in his cell and was unable to be revived.
He died of a heart issue that was excellerated by medicine he was prescribed. She will never admit she already has been told what happened. She’s in denial and wants the attention.
Nearly 3 months and still no information on why they died. Dacota’s mom still claims he was murdered.
Of course she does.
It is a jail not max security, not death row. You can be as derogatory as you want to about the 2 who have died, but the fact is they died on Pals’ watch. This shouldn’t happen and I am sure those who are defending him (Pals) have their reasons for doing so but it doesn’t change this. He is responsible for those who work for him and those who are incarcerated under him. And, if they are a danger to themselves or others because of their drug use, then jail isn’t the place for them. If it was your son or your daughter I feel pretty safe in saying you would sing a different tune. And, for a couple of you, I am pretty sure you would have your lawyer on speed dial.
I love how all the idiots commenting think there should be an investigation of the jail. Lol, my thoughts. 1 a criminal dies, one less to deal with. 2 this has nothing to do with poor supervision or sheriff pals. These people are heavy drug users the autopsy for the previous one said so. Its clear he either od’d or detoxed while sleeping. Happens all the time and age has nothing to do with I’m 21 and had friends die from this in highschool. Their heart just can’t take it and they drop dead. And for those who didn’t read the article and just blamed the jailers, it says they tried to save him but he was already gone.
The autopsy for the previous one is not yet complete so just how do you know he died from drugs or detoxing?
Anonymouse- I for one would not ever defend a jail bird as they are in there for a reason. It’s just so damn funny that in the past month we have had 2 deaths ( more bed space). Maybe we should bring back that car salesman in @ Molsteads to run the Jail. Also lets not forget the stuff that took place with an inmate and jailer. (Rumors??) No comment is a bad comment, some might just piss others off. The truth hurts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don’t even know why they died yet. So why are you calling for heads to roll?! My guess is drugs are being smuggled in and guys are ODing. Drugs can be smuggled into jails. Like I said it doesn’t take a semi to get them in there. Druggies and criminals are sneaky and creative. Get a clue and stop blaming law abiding citizens for the actions of criminals. Even with cameras they can’t watch every single movement. Do you think this doesn’t bother the powers that be?! I blame this solely on the ones who died. It’s called personal responsibility. These people aren’t in jail because they take good care of themselves. smh. Who knows what damage they’ve done to their bodies.
Criminals are not the only ones that are sneaky..dirty cops go hand in hand. Not all of them…but most are sneaky hipocrits as well
You can’t always blame this soley on the ones who die. Remember the jailhouse murder here about 30 years ago when a young male inmate was orally raped by an older man and died from vagal nerve overstimulation. That was a very sad case because that vulnerable young man was put in a cell with a rough bunch, as I recall. I wonder what ever happened to that rapist. Matt, can you find out?
Is Sheriff Pals lost a handle on the Sheriff’s office? TWO DEATHS NOW INSIDE THE JAIL.
I know its not Sheriff Pals fault but he is the head coach out there! His team of jailers and deputies are failing and not doing their jobs. Its time to fire him just like they do in college and pro sports!. I have heard some of his jailers and deputies like to party and raise hell when they go out. Nothing wrong with that but they are in the spotlight and need to act according. Do the proper job and watch the cameras instead of texting your ole man and ladies and stay off facebook guys. We pay your wage so do your f**king job!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an ignorant thing to say. Some CRIMINALS are on meh and God only knows what other drugs or alcohol damaging their own bodies. PLUS there is NO proof of how they died yet. And you’re blaming LAW ABIDING citizens?! Typical ignorant dysfunctional thought process. Maybe the guy died coming down off drugs! Jailers aren’t babysitters for idiots that break the law. Probabably OD or hrt damage from drugs. Detoxing is dangerous to the body. duh. Maybe the idiots should stay off drugs and not do crimes. I find that works for me. I’m alive and healthy. I have ZERO sympathy for criminals. They don’t for those they steal from or abuse.
“Jailers aren’t babysitters for idiots that break the law.” Um, yeah that’s exactly what they are.
PALS needs to be replaced period..this is proof he has overstayed his welcome. 2 deaths now. nobody watching them.his is OUT-OF-HAND.
LOL! This is proof of nothing about Pals. Pals is doing a fine job. He’s busting criminal ass. Drugs can easily be snuck into jails and prisons. It’s done all the time. A gal got busted at county last yr. smuggling it in. You can smuggle acid in on a postage stamp. Get a clue. We’re talking about CRIMINALS doing CRIMINAL behavior and you want to blame law abiding citizens?! LOL! Hilarious! You sound like a disfunctional criminal who doesn’t believe or practice personal responsibility. You want the jailers to hold the prisoner (CRIMINALS) dicks while they pee too just in case???? smh
I did not mean to hit report….. Pals is an elected official, he can only be voted out in the next election…
For the benefit of the rest of us, kindly elaborate on the “proof” to which you elude. The voters will decide the truth and determine if he has overstayed his welcome not ennuendo from you sister.
This is very strange. They have camera’s everywhere in that jail. What are they doing there, sleeping on duty. Something is very wrong when young people die in jail.
Drug detoxing. Something is wrong when young people destroy their mind and body with drugs and commit crimes.
To protect and self serve.
The Facebook link to this death as well as the previous death have been deleted after posted. Censorship? Something sure needs to be investigated here
IF these deaths are from over dose than SOMEONE isn’t doing there job!
During the investigation of the death of this individual by the DCI, if there are any wrong doings by the staff of cerro gordo county, do you really think this would be released? This investigation should also be conducted by a third party private company, cops protect cops!
yeah the criminal druggie. Drugs can be easily snuck into jails and prisons. It’s not like you have to use a semi to get them in there. A tiny piece of acid can be smuggled in without being picked up on. The fault is on the person who died. They did the crime and drugs. Jailers can’t see every single movement in jails. People have been busted for passing drugs in county jail. a gal got busted there last yr.. Druggies are crafty. As all crooks think they are. PLUS we don’t know yet how either guys died.
I would hate to get arrested in the next couple of months. The cavity searches are going to get way deeper and more thorough with 2 inmates over dosing in a few weeks.
Lol should be pretty easy to avoid getting arrested
And just how do you know they overdosed? They could have had cardiac arrhythmias from past drug use. They could have died from a virus. Quit making accusations until all the facts are in.