Death Investigation at Vista Detention Facility 

July 17, 2024 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Monday, July 15, 2024, around 7:00 p.m., Sheriff's Homicide Investigators were notified that a 53-year-old man in Sheriff's custody passed away while being treated at a hospital. The man's name is not being released at this time because we are actively trying to locate and notify his family. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, around 7:30 a.m., while conducting a safety check inside a housing module, deputies noticed the man experiencing medical distress. Deputies immediately notified facility medical staff, who determined he would need treatment at a hospital. The man was successfully transported to the hospital without incident and underwent a medical procedure on the evening of the same day. On July 15, 2024, he began experiencing medical distress while under care at the hospital. Despite all efforts to save him, he unfortunately passed away.

The man was taken into custody on June 13, 2024, for 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon by the Oceanside Police Department in the City of Oceanside. At the time of his arrest, the man was believed to be experiencing homelessness. 

The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) representative was notified of this incident. The Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause and manner of death.

As is the protocol for all in-custody deaths, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and will conduct a thorough investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for completion on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. At this time, the cause and manner of death has not been determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department