45-Year-Old Inmate Dies After Medical Emergency at San Diego Jail

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 45-year-old man being held at the San Diego Central Jail died yesterday after fellow inmates saw him faint in a dayroom and called for help. Paramedics responded and took the man to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide Unit is investigating the death, and the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board has been notified.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the safety and medical care provided to inmates in the San Diego jail system, which has faced criticism over in-custody deaths in recent years. A 2022 state audit found San Diego County among those with the highest jail death rates in California, prompting calls for more monitoring and policy changes.

The details

According to sheriff's officials, the 45-year-old man, who had been in custody since April 2024 on charges related to possession of an illegal weapon, was found disoriented and fainting in the jail's dayroom. Paramedics started lifesaving measures on the way to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 5:20 a.m. The San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide Unit is investigating the death, and the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board has been notified.

• The incident occurred on March 15, 2026.
• The man had been in custody since April 2024.

What’s next

The Sheriff's Office has assigned a family liaison to assist relatives, and anyone with information has been asked to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Unit.