NEWTON, IOWA – An Algona woman was booked into an Iowa jail on a charge of operating while intoxicated, but saly passed away soon thereafter, authorities say.
On September 2, 2025, at approximately 12:08 AM, a request for medical care was requested by the Jasper County Jail for an inmate that was unresponsive and who later was pronounced deceased. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, is investigating the death.
The name of the inmate was withheld pending notification to the family.
Later, after family members of the deceased inmate were notified, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the deceased as 31-year-old Merissa Marie Hogan of Algona, Iowa.
Hogan was booked into the Jasper County Jail on September 1, 2025, at 6:19 PM, awaiting her initial appearance on a Newton Police Department charge of Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Authorities say no foul play is suspected, and no further information will be released at this time pending an autopsy, toxicology, and the completion of the investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.