Man died from COVID-19 in county jail, medical examiner says

(TAHLEQUAH, Okla.) A 28-year-old man died from COVID-19 in the Cherokee County Jail, according to a recently released medical examiner report. 

Jared Pringle was found dead in his cell on April 19. 

The medical examiner’s report said Pringle had severe edema and congestion at his time of death. No illegal substances or alcohol were found in his system. 

The report also stated Pringle suffered from substance use disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among other mental illnesses, and had multiple blunt force injuries. 

Pringle had a history of justice system involvement, including an arrest for threatening to perform acts of violence, obstructing an officer, and resisting arrest in 2021. 

Court records show Pringle was a resident of Tulsa with an outstanding warrant for failing to comply with Mental Health Court at the time of his death.

We reached out to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for information on Pringle’s arrest proceeding his death but were told that information could not be provided.

We also reached out to the Cherokee County Jail but was told the jail administrator is out of town for the next two weeks and no one will be able for comment until they return.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.