DULUTH — A 35-year-old man died Friday, Jan. 30, while in custody at the St. Louis County Jail in Duluth.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release that Darren John Tiessen was booked into jail on Jan. 25 for an arrest warrant issued after he did not appear in court.
Around 1 a.m. on Jan. 27, a corrections officer found Tiessen unresponsive in a single-person cell, the news release stated. The sheriff's office reported staff immediately initiated lifesaving measures, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator.
Tiessen was then transported to Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth for further treatment, but he did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.
Tiessen, according to his obituary, was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Services will begin Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Sawyer Community Center.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is conducting an independent investigation of the in-custody death.
-
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe legislation would withhold federal election funds from Minnesota until Secretary of State Steve Simon turns over voter data requested by the Department of Justice — a request Simon says is illegal. -
Contributed/Alyssa Chen | Minnesota ReformerThe Department of Human Services plans to "revalidate" 5,800 providers of Medicaid services deemed high risk for fraud, waste and abuse. -
And: Judge denies injunction to pause Operation Metro Surge; MN Congressional Republicans introduce MN Voter Integrity Act; and Sen. Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan. -
Contributed/Peggy Flanagan for U.S. SenateThe retiring senator's endorsement in the race between Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig comes just before party members share their thoughts on Caucus Night, Feb. 3, 2026. -
Contributed/Pixabay via PexelsThe State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the explosion in a six-unit building near the Duluth Airport. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashDouglas and Tiffany Stewart died Jan. 30, 2026, after a train struck their vehicle west of Cass Lake in rural Hubbard County. The incident is under investigation. -
Contributed/Tony Webster via Wikimedia CommonsU.S. District Court Judge Kate Menendez said the court could not grant a pause of the surge based on the arguments in the case. -
Plus: Two deans were removed from their positions at Bemidji State University; the Bagley City Council is no longer considering disbanding its police force; and the DNR is seeking 200 summer interns.
-
Plus: Caucus Night is coming on Tuesday — here's what to expect.
-
Lorie Shaull/KAXEAbout 80 students walked three blocks to the Crow Wing County Judicial Center in downtown Brainerd to line both sides of Laurel Street. Many carried anti-ICE signs and chanted together.
