Judge's Nephew Found Unconscious In Milwaukee Jail Has Died

MILWAUKEE, WI — The nephew of a federal judge who currently serves in Wisconsin has died after authorities say he was found unconscious in the Milwaukee County Jail.

According to Sheriff's officials, at just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer was making the rounds in the Milwaukee County Jail, when he opened a cell door to check the well-being of 34-year-old Nicholas Stadtmuller, who was being held there. Stadtmuller had been arrested in late December.

When the officer opened the door to Stadtmuller's cell, Sheriff's officials said Stadtmuller had fashioned a ligature around his neck and appeared to be unconscious.

Authorities say emergency responders were immediately sent to Stadtmuller's cell for emergency treatment, and he was transferred to an area hospital. At just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Stadtmuller was pronounced deceased by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.

According to a JSOnline report, Stadtmueller is the nephew of U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmuller, who currently serves in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Nicholas Stadtmuller was waiting extradition to his home state of New York on a pending drug-related charge.

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene to conduct an independent investigation into this incident.