Man, 42, dies in shower of San Diego Central Jail housing unit: SDSO

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 42-year-old man died at San Diego Central Jail while in sheriff’s department custody Wednesday night, marking at least the fifth in-custody death in the county this year so far.

The man was found unresponsive inside the shower area of a housing module in the jail around 5:54 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies responded after other incarcerated individuals reported it to jail staff.

Upon arrival, the sheriff’s department says deputies suspected the man was having a medical emergency and called for assistance. He was then placed into a wheelchair to transport to the jail’s medical unit, but jail medical staff arrived at the housing unit before he was moved.

According to the sheriff’s department, paramedics responded shortly after, taking over immediate medical care. Despite these efforts, the man passed away.

The identity of the man has not been disclosed by authorities, pending family notification.

However, the sheriff’s department said the man had been taken into custody the day prior on a misdemeanor arrest warrant for three counts — intent to defraud and two drug-related charges. Authorities also believe he was experiencing homelessness at the time of his arrest.

The Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board was notified of the incident. Meanwhile, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, and Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating.

The man’s death is at least the fifth death in custody at San Diego-area detention centers this year — the second at the central jail downtown.

San Diego County has been under scrutiny over the last few years for its jail conditions , following a 2022 state audit that found the county had the highest rate of inmate deaths across California.

While local law enforcement officials have made headway in address safety issues since the audit, including releasing summaries on inmate deaths, it appears conditions have not improved significantly, with the county recording its the third-highest number of inmate deaths last year.

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