A 34-year-old inmate died in an apparent suicide shortly after he was found hanging in his Otay Mesa jail cell on Thursday, sheriff’s officials said.
Read more San Diego man sentenced for involvement in smuggling ring that disappeared 2 immigrants
The man, whose name was not immediately released, was discovered hanging in his George Bailey Detention Facility cell by a deputy during a security check around 3:20 p.m., Lt. Juan Marquez said in a news release. The man was reportedly housed alone in the cell.
Deputies immediately began life-saving measures, called 911 and requested assistance from on-site medical staff, Marquez said. The inmate’s death was pronounced around 4:05 p.m.
Marquez said the man had been arrested on May 13 on suspicion of several sexual assault-related allegations, as well as charges of preventing a person from reporting a crime by force and resisting arrest. His next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 19.
Read more Escondido City Council won’t hear update on ICE shooting range contract
“The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office extends its sympathies to the decedent’s family and all those affected by this loss,” Marquez said. “A sheriff’s family liaison officer has been assigned to support the family during this difficult time.”
This is at least the third hanging death by an inmate in Sheriff’s Office custody this year. Grant Parker, a 34-year-old inmate, died after apparently hanging himself at San Diego Central Jail in March. And last month, a 45-year-old man died after an apparent self-inflicted hanging in Vista Jail.
The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board was notified of the incident.
As with all in-custody deaths, the sheriff’s homicide unit responded and is conducting an investigation. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office, officials said.
Read more Police release video of suspect in Pacific Beach homicide
