In-custody death of an elderly inmate of the O.C. Central Men’s Jail

SANTA ANA, Ca. – On Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, an inmate housed at the Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana died at a local hospital.

The 71-year-old inmate was transferred from state prison and booked into jail on June 24, 2009, for sexual predator-related charges and violating parole. The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred on May 10, 2023, for a medical issue. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

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.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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