Johnson County Inmate Dies in Custody

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The Johnson County Sheriff's Office has identified the inmate who died in custody earlier this week as 46-year-old Lawrence James Bohnenkamp. Bohnenkamp was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine check and despite immediate lifesaving efforts, he was later pronounced deceased.

Why it matters

Inmate deaths in custody are a serious issue that raise concerns about jail conditions, medical care, and potential civil rights violations. This incident will likely prompt an investigation by state authorities to determine the cause of death and whether any policies or procedures need to be reviewed or changed.

The details

According to the Sheriff's Office, Bohnenkamp was found unresponsive in his cell just before 4:00 AM on Wednesday. Jail staff immediately attempted lifesaving measures and called for an ambulance, but Bohnenkamp was later pronounced deceased. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and an autopsy is being conducted at the University of Iowa Health Care.

• Bohnenkamp was found unresponsive in his cell just before 4:00 AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
• Jail staff immediately attempted lifesaving measures and called for an ambulance.

What’s next

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will continue its investigation into the cause of Bohnenkamp's death, and the results of the autopsy are expected to be released in the coming weeks.