Update - Death Investigation
December 13, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials release the cause and manner of death of 
82-year-old Thomas Richard Heaven, who was in Sheriff's custody and passed away at a local hospital. The San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded to the hospital after being notified.
On March 17, 2025, Mr. Heaven was transported from the San Diego Central Jail to a local hospital due to having low blood pressure and a high heart rate. On April 7, 2025, Heaven was transferred to the Sheriff's Hospital Guard Unit at another local hospital where he remained in Sheriff's custody. On April 24, 2025, Mr. Heaven's overall condition rapidly began to deteriorate due to his low oxygen levels and, at 11:45 p.m., Mr. Heaven was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The Medical Examiner's Office has completed an autopsy of Mr. Heaven and determined the cause of death was sepsis due to streptococcal group A bacteremia with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus cited as contributing factors. The manner of death was classified as natural.
Mr. Heaven, a resident of San Diego, was in custody on several counts of Penal Code section 288(a), committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age. He was scheduled to appear at the San Diego Central Court on May 5, 2025, for sentencing.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Heaven family and all those affected by Mr. Heaven'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.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office