Authorities investigating Whatcom County jail inmate death; friends, family want answers
Jason Dean remembers his friend, Darren Nixon, as someone who would give you the shirt off his own back.
“He was a joyful person to be around,” Dean said.
The two of them would drive around, singing and dancing to music in the car together.
“Darren wanted to do great things,” Dean said.
On Jan. 21, Dean’s best friend died at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. He was taken to the hospital after attempting suicide in Whatcom County Jail, where he had been in custody since Sept. 24. The medical examiner confirmed that the 37-year-old’s death was due to injuries related to hanging.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that correctional officers found Nixon attempting to hang himself while alone in a first-floor cell during a “routine walk-through” at about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 19. The deputies performed CPR on Nixon until medical assistance arrived and revived him.
“Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time,” said Sheriff Donnell Tanksley. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and struggles faced by those in our care. We bear that in mind and will continue to prioritize the safety, well-being, and support of all those in our custody.”
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater said that the Bellingham Police Department is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.
“As is standard protocol, we do not provide statements while an investigation is active to ensure its integrity,” Slater said.
What happened in jail?
Nixon was arrested Sept. 24 in Blaine and charged with driving under the influence, first-degree malicious mischief and eluding a police vehicle. According to court records, Nixon sped off in his car when a police officer turned on their sirens due to erratic driving. He crashed through three fences, hit at least two parked cars and drove into the side of a home.
Police later found Nixon on top of a nearby house. He “appeared to be in distress,” spoke in nonsense and to people who weren’t there, and talked to himself. He said in a message from jail to his friend, Jason Smith, that he was having an anxiety attack at the time.
Nixon remained in a standoff with police for about five hours, according to court documents, and was eventually taken into custody after “less lethal munitions” were used.
Nixon wrote to Smith in a message that he believed he was wrongfully imprisoned, and said he didn’t get off the roof because officers would not set up a ladder where witnesses could see him. He said he wanted to be visible because he feared police would hurt him.
Prior to his death, Nixon told Smith he planned to sue for wrongful imprisonment and violation of speedy trial rights.
Nixon was previously arrested on charges including assault, burglary and drug possession.
Smith said Nixon called him Jan. 19 — the same day he attempted suicide — and said he was stuck on the floor in pain. One of Nixon’s cellmates told another one of Nixon’s friends that Nixon was lying on the floor for hours. The others in the cell pressed the button to call for help multiple times, Smith said, but no one came for “quite some time.”
A participant in the Whatcom County Pen-pal Program wrote in a letter that they asked officers to help Nixon six times before they responded. They wrote that Nixon “was in so much back pain he couldn’t even stand or walk” in the days leading up to his death — a sentiment he also relayed to Smith.
Nixon messaged Smith at 4:48 p.m. that he called a lawyer and guards came “rushing in” to take him down to the first floor. He wrote that he was put in a padded cell and left alone for an hour.
Correctional officers make regular rounds to check on those housed on the first floor. Dean, who was previously incarcerated at Whatcom County Jail, said officers should have been checking on Nixon more frequently.
He believes that If they had, Nixon wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attempt suicide.
“It’s a shame that we have to lose someone because they can’t do their jobs properly,” Dean said.
Nixon’s parents are considering taking legal action against the jail, Dean said. The jail was previously sued in federal court by the family of Kirk Daniel Powless, who died by suicide while in custody in 2018. The two sides reached a settlement agreement in 2022 that included a $500,000 payout from the county.
To help Nixon’s parents pay for the costs of legal actions and Nixon’s funeral, Dean started a GoFundMe campaign. All of the proceeds — $960 as of Thursday — go directly to Nixon’s parents, according to Dean.
“There was an injustice done,” Dean said. “And my friend died over it.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM.