Family Grieving After Inmate Found Dead At Oklahoma County Jail

An inmate death at the Oklahoma County Detention Center leaves a lot of unanswered questions for family members.

Thursday morning around 12 a.m. Lee Chouteau was on his way to pick his father up from work, when he called and informed him, he had been pulled over by Oklahoma Highway Patrol and would be a little late. 

That was the last conversation he would have with his father. 

According to booking records at the jail, Lee was pulled over and arrested for suspected DUI and resisting the execution of legal process. A complaint the family said was not in his personality. 

“I’ve never seen my nephew be aggressive at all,” Nelson Chouteau, Lee’s uncle, said.

Nelson stood by his brother’s side and spoke for the family as he comforted his brother through one of the family’s toughest times. 

According to the detention center spokesperson, Lee was found dead in a holding area Thursday around 4 p.m. Jail staff attempted to save his life but were unsuccessful. 

No matter the accusations against him, Nelson wants the people to know about his nephew.

“To say he was a loving person, and to say he was a good kid. He had a good way about him. The way he spoke to people.” Nelson said. 

As the brothers grieve the death of their loved one, they are supporting each other.

“I rely on him for strength and at the same time he relies on me. Because we’ve never been through this before. We’ve never had to bury any of our children,” Nelson said. 

The family is also in search of answers to Lee Chouteau’s death. “Whatever took place. That somebody could have a good explanation for what happened to my nephew.” Chouteau said. 

The body has been turned over to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.