Sheriff: Tippecanoe Co. Jail inmate had blocked artery

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – A Tippecanoe County Jail inmate who died this weekend had 99 percent blockage of an artery, according to Tippecanoe County Sheriff Barry Richard.

Thirty-seven-year-old Joseph McClimans was found unresponsive in his cell on Saturday. He was taken to Franciscan St. Elizabeth East Hospital and then transferred to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

McClimans was pronounced dead on Sunday.

Sheriff Richard says an autopsy, performed Monday, found a 99 percent blockage in an artery to McClimans’ heart. But the final cause of death is pending toxicology reports, which could take up to six weeks.

McClimans was booked into the jail on May 27 on theft charges.