ORANGE, Ca. (March 24, 2020): An inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange was pronounced deceased at a local hospital the evening of March 23, 2020. The inmate, a 43-year old man, was booked into Orange County Jail on March 13, 2020 to serve time for a DUI conviction. He was transferred to the hospital at approximately 10:30 a.m. on March 23, 2020 due to medical issues, and was pronounced deceased at approximately 9 p.m the same day.

The inmate was recently isolated for flu-like symptoms, and was administered a test for COVID-19. The test results were negative, indicating the inmate did not have COVID-19. Following the negative results, the inmate remained in isolation receiving medical treatment until he was transferred to the hospital.

The Department is not releasing the identity of the deceased inmate at this time pending the notification of next-of-kin.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.  

There have been no inmates diagnosed with COVID-19 in an Orange County Jail to date. Twelve inmates have been isolated due to flu-like symptoms, and eight have had negative COVID-19 test results. The remaining four inmates are isolated pending the results of their tests. The Sheriff’s Department is requiring enhanced medical screening for all inmates, law enforcement, and staff entering the Orange County Jail.