Update - Death Investigation
October 7, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that they are releasing details following the death of 
a 55-year-old man, Eugene Rodman Smith, who was in custody at the San Diego Central Jail and died at a local hospital. San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide investigators were notified of Mr. Smith's passing at the San Diego Central Jail.
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at around 11:55 p.m., Sheriff's Deputies at the San Diego Central Jail were performing their routine duties when they discovered Mr. Smith unresponsive inside a holding cell. He was alone inside the cell. Upon observing the situation, the deputies immediately activated 9-1-1, requested additional assistance from the facility's medical staff, and began life saving measures.
Paramedics and the San Diego Fire Department assumed lifesaving measures upon their arrival and Mr. Smith was transported to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, Mr. Smith was pronounced deceased at the hospital on October 2, 2025, at about 1:15 a.m.
Mr. Smith, a resident of the city of San Diego, had been in Sheriff's custody since September 29, 2025, for public intoxication.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Smith family and all those affected by his 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 cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office
