IOWA CITY – A convicted Iowa murderer succumbed to Covid-19 while serving life sentence
James Lee Blair was pronounced dead, likely due to complications related to COVID-19 and other preexisting medical conditions at approximately 5:07 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He had been transported there recently from the Iowa State Penitentiary due to his declining health. Blair was 61 years old at the time of his death.
Blair had been serving a Life sentence for Murder-1st Degree (707.2) in Polk County. His sentence began on November 24, 1982.