In-custody death of an inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 2, 2021) – A 39-year-old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died Thursday evening at a local hospital. The death is not believed to be related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the investigation is ongoing.

The inmate was booked into Orange County jail in June 2021 by the Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of cruelty to a child. He was located in his cell unresponsive around 11 a.m. on June 24, 2021 and deputies performed lifesaving measures. He was subsequently transferred to the hospital, where he remained until his death.

Preliminarily, there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

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.