In-Custody Death at Northern Branch Jail 

May 30, 2023 - Santa Maria, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 2:19 p.m., a Custody Deputy and WellPath medical staff member were conducting medical procedures within B-Unit of the Northern Branch Jail. While checking on inmates housed in B-Unit, they found a male inmate who did not respond to the check-in procedure. Custody deputies and WellPath medical staff entered the cell to physically check the inmate’s condition and found him unresponsive and not breathing.

Custody Deputies and WellPath medical staff began life-saving measures including administering two rounds of Narcan, performing CPR, and placement of an automated external defibrillator (AED). County Fire and American Medical Response (AMR) were summoned and responded to the jail facility. Paramedics continued life-saving measures, but the decedent did not recover and was pronounced dead at 2:46 p.m. without being transported.

The identity of the deceased will be released once notification to his next-of-kin has been completed.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Coroner’s Office are conducting an extensive investigation into the inmate’s death. The Sheriff’s Office will share additional information as it becomes available for release.

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office