Update - Death Investigation
January 1, 2026 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that the San Diego County Sheriff's Office is 
releasing the cause and manner of death of 35-year-old Steven Curren, 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 August 30, 2025, at around 3:08 p.m., several Incarcerated Persons at the San Diego Central Jail notified Sheriff's Deputies that Mr. Curren was in medical distress. Deputies discovered Mr. Curren unresponsive inside his cell. Upon observing the situation, 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. Curren was transported to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, Mr. Curren was pronounced deceased at the hospital at about 4:31 p.m.
The Medical Examiner's Office has completed an autopsy of Mr. Curren and determined the cause of death was due to complications of hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the setting of a hypoplastic right kidney. Asthma, chronic ethanol use, and obesity were cited as significant contributing factors. The manner of death was natural.
Mr. Curren had been in Sheriff's custody since August 29, 2025, and was facing charges for vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Curren family and all those affected by Mr. Curren'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.
Related: San Diego County Sheriff Identifies 35-Year-Old Inmate After In-Custody Death at Area Hospital
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office