Second inmate hospitalized on life-support

— The death of an Iroquois County Jail inmate and the hospitalization of a second inmate are being investigated by Illinois State Police. The Department of Criminal Investigations was asked to look into the circumstances of both cases, at the request of the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department.

24-year-old Andre Maiden was found unresponsive in his cell at about 11:15 Wednesday morning. He was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has not yet been scheduled. Coroner Bill Cheatum was waiting for results of a COVID test.
A State Police news release states another inmate (Jason Fancher) was found unresponsive in his cell about 7:11 pm Tuesday. Fancher was listed in critical condition at a hospital in Champaign County.

Both inmates were jailed for homicide cases in Iroquois County. Maiden was arrested last November in Watseka, following the stabbing death of Isiah Nelson during an altercation. Maiden was charged with aggravated battery. Fancher was in jail for the murder of Pam Williams, whose body was found along a road near Sheldon.

94.1 WGFA