Alcohol, drugs may have killed jailed man

The Daily Inter Lake

A man who died in the Flathead County jail Monday had high levels of alcohol and the drug methadone in his system, according to preliminary autopsy reports.

The combination of the drugs is listed as the cause of death for Robert Frett, 65. His blood-alcohol level was 0.27, more than three times the level of presumed intoxication for drivers.

He was arrested on a felony DUI charge and was placed alone in a jail cell. His death was discovered by a jail employee Monday morning.

Methadone is a synthetic drug, often prescribed as a substitute for heroin. Its use without a prescription is illegal, although it is used recreationally by some people.

Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner said the continuing investigation now involves finding out where Frett obtained the drug.

Police are in charge of investigating the death for the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail.

In 2004, two men were found dead in a Kalispell motel. Their death was linked to methadone use.