FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, November 1, 2018

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215

PIERRE, S.D. –  Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms today the Richard Zimmerman autopsy report has been completed and that he died as a result of methamphetamine toxicity. Toxicology analysis of blood obtained at autopsy confirms the methamphetamine level was markedly elevated within lethal levels. In addition, a plastic baggie found in Zimmerman’s stomach tested positive for methamphetamine.

On September 15, 2018 Zimmerman, 31, Rapid City, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Pennington County Jail and was transported to a local hospital where he died. This investigation is still ongoing as to the source of the methamphetamine.

Zimmerman had been arrested on September 14, 2018 on a parole violation.

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