Jones County Jail inmate dies

ANAMOSA - An inmate at the Jones County Jail died last month.

According to a Jones County Sheriff's Office news release, deputies conducting a routine cell check at 10:30 a.m. March 21 four 41-year-old Tana Lekin unconscious in her cell. Authorities said they attempted resuscitation on the Baxter, Ark. woman, but she was pronounced dead.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the death and an autopsy was done by the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeney. The autopsy showed that Lekin died from asphyxiation caused by an article of clothing. Lekin was alone in her cell at the time of the incident, authorities said.

Lekin had been arrested by the Anamosa Police Department on March 21 and faced charges of second-degree burglary, possession of burglar's tools, impersonating an officer, interference with official acts, fifth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication.

Authorities said they are awaiting a toxicology report and the investigation is ongoing.