Man dies after being found slumped over in San Diego jail cell

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 35-year-old man died at a hospital shortly after he was found slumped over in his San Diego Central Jail cell on Wednesday. Deputies and a facility nurse found the man appearing to be in medical distress while distributing medication around 4:30 a.m. Paramedics arrived and took the man to a hospital, where he died about four hours later.

Why it matters

The death of an individual in police custody raises concerns about the treatment and care of inmates in the San Diego jail system. This incident will likely prompt investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man's death and any potential issues with the jail's medical procedures and protocols.

The details

The man had been in custody for six days and had been arrested on suspicion of grand theft and for violating a court order. The Sheriff's Office said the man's death is being investigated by its homicide division, as are all in-custody deaths, and is also being reviewed by the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board, the county's civilian oversight body.

• The man was found appearing to be in medical distress by deputies and a facility nurse around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
• The man died at the hospital about four hours later on the same day, February 18, 2026.

What’s next

The Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause and manner of the man's death, and the Sheriff's Office and Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board will continue their investigations into the incident.