April 16, 2026 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 2:03 a.m., deputies assigned to the West Valley Detention Center were alerted to an inmate who had suffered a medical emergency. Deputies found Obazeh unresponsive and immediately rendered aid along with jail medical staff. Medical personnel-initiated life saving measures until personnel from American Medical Response arrived and transported Obazeh to a local hospital where he remained unresponsive.  

On April 12, 2026, Obazeh was pronounced deceased by hospital medical staff. It was found that Obazeh did not have obvious signs of trauma nor were there suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident.

The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail responded to the location and assumed the investigation. It was found that Obazeh was originally arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on March 9, 2026, by the Chino Hills Sheriff Station on a charge of PC273.6(A). The investigation remains ongoing and no further information is available at this time. 

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Matthew Lee Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.  Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.

DATE:  April 3, 2026, at approximately 2:03 a.m.
INCIDENT: In Custody Death Investigation
LOCATION: West Valley Detention Center, Rancho Cucamonga
DECEDENT: Odiakosa Sylvester Obazeh, 40-year-old male, Resident of Chino Hills
Refer: Detective Matthew Lee or Sergeant Nicholas Clark 
Station: Homicide Detail
Phone No. 909-890-4904
Case No. DR# 342600931 H# 2026-036

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department