Update - Death Investigation
September 27, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that they are releasing details following the 
death of a 46-year-old man, James Pittman, who passed away at the Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. On February 27, 2025, Sheriff's Homicide investigators were notified of Mr. Pittman passing at a local hospital.
On February 14, 2025, deputies at the Vista Detention Facility were alerted to Mr. Pittman’s need for medical assistance after he was found by his cellmate in a distressed state.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Pittman fell from the top bunk of a two-bed cell while he and his cellmate were confined to their cell. After hearing the fall, the cellmate discovered Mr. Pittman unconscious on the floor. The cellmate notified deputies Mr. Pittman was in distress and deputies immediately responded to the cell. Mr. Pittman, who initially appeared to be disoriented and confused, was attended to by deputies. They transported him to the facility's medical clinic for evaluation after which paramedics from the Vista Fire Department transferred him to the Palomar Medical Center.
Following a medical procedure, Mr. Pittman was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where he remained until his passing on February 27, 2025. His family was kept informed of his condition throughout his hospital stay.
Mr. Pittman, a resident of Oceanside, had been in custody at the Vista Detention Facility for murder since January 3, 2023.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Pittman family and all those affected by Mr. Pittman's passing. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will continue to support the family as they navigate through this difficult time.
The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) was notified regarding the incident. As is the protocol for all in-custody deaths, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure all aspects of this incident are examined.
The Medical Examiner's Office has completed an autopsy of Mr. Pittman and determined the cause of death is blunt force injury of head, and the manner of death is classified as accident.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office