Update - Death Investigation
October 22, 2026 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that they are releasing the cause and manner of death 
of 43-year-old Corey Michael Dean, who was in custody at the Vista Detention Facility.
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Sheriff's Homicide investigators were notified of Mr. Dean's passing at the Vista Detention Facility.
At around 3:00 a.m., on July 13, 2025, Sheriff's Deputies at the facility were performing their routine safety checks when they discovered Mr. Dean unresponsive inside his cell. Upon observing the situation, the deputies immediately activated 9-1-1, requested assistance from the facility's medical staff, and began CPR.
Paramedics and the Vista Fire Department assumed lifesaving measures upon their arrival. Despite their efforts, Mr. Dean was pronounced deceased at the detention facility at about 3:20 a.m.
The Medical Examiner's Office has completed an autopsy of Mr. Dean and determined the cause of death to be closed-loop small bowel obstruction with intestinal ischemia and necrosis due to Intestinal volvulus with incarceration of Meckel's diverticulum. The manner of death was classified as undetermined.
San Diego County Sheriff Announces In-Custody Death of 43-Year-Old Man at Vista Detention Facility
Mr. Dean, a resident of San Diego County, had been in custody since June 15, 2025, and was facing multiple burglary charges and felony vandalism.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Dean family and all those affected by his passing. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer was assigned and will continue to support the family as they navigate through this difficult time.
The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) has been notified of 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