Clark County jail inmate’s death ruled a homicide

A Clark County Jail inmate’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner on Thursday.

Mycheal J. Lynch, 32, died March 22, two days after he was restrained by deputies while being relocated in the jail. A homicide means that Lynch was killed by the actions of another person, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that a crime occurred.

The Clark County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as anoxic encephalopathy, which is a lack of oxygen to the brain. Cardiac dysrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, and methamphetamine intoxication contributed to the death, the medical examiner said.

Vancouver police arrested Lynch on March 20 on suspicion of driving under the influence, reckless driving and hit-and-run of an unattended vehicle. That evening, the Vancouver man was placed into the jail’s medical unit, which houses inmates who need to be isolated for medical reasons separate from mental health problems.

Two and a half hours later, Lynch pulled an alarm, prompting corrections deputies to respond to Lynch’s pod in the jail, the sheriff’s office said. Lynch didn’t cooperate after corrections deputies determined he needed to be moved to another area of the jail, the sheriff’s office said.

After deputies restrained Lynch, he had a medical emergency, the sheriff’s office said. Lynch was hospitalized and died on the morning of March 22.

How Lynch was restrained is part of an ongoing investigation into the matter, said Jail Chief Ric Bishop. Vancouver police major crimes detectives are leading the investigation into the incident.