San Mateo County Sheriff's Office - A Tradition of Service Since 1856

Deaths In Custody

An In-Custody Incarcerated Person (IP) Death is defined as the death of any person, for whatever reason (natural, suicide, homicide, accident, and undetermined), who is in the process of being booked or is incarcerated at any facility of this Office. All In-Custody Deaths are reported to the California Department of Justice and the Board of State and Community Corrections within 10 days. 

When a death occurs within a County-owned correctional facility, a comprehensive investigation is immediately initiated to determine the facts surrounding the death. The investigative process involves multiple independent agencies, each conducting its own review, analysis, and assessment within its respective area of authority. These independent bodies include: the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, the California Department of Justice (DOJ), the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Investigations Bureau and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Professional Standards Bureau. 

The below information is being provided in accordance with California Assembly Bill 2761, and as part of our continued commitment to transparency.

Date of DeathCountyFacilityLocationRaceGenderAgeCustodial StatusManner of DeathMeans of Death
01/07/23San MateoEmergency DepartmentKaiser RWCWF25Booked – Awaiting TrialHomicideToxic Effects of Methamphetamine, methylendioxy-methamphetamine, and Cocaine
10/20/23San MateoMCFAdministrative Housing 3 WestWM64Booked – Awaiting TrialNaturalNot Applicable (Natural)
10/21/23San MateoMCFBHU- Behavioral Health Unit 4 WestWM34Booked – Awaiting TrialSuicideHanging
01/14/24San MateoMCFDetox Housing Unit 4 EastWM23Booked – Awaiting TrialNaturalNot Applicable (Natural)
03/15/24San MateoMCFGeneral Population Unit 5 EastWM46Booked – Awaiting TrialSuicideHanging
03/15/25San MateoMSCCGeneral Population Housing Unit 1 ValleyWM25Sentenced - Awaiting Transfer to CDCRAccidentToxic Effects of Methadone, Amitriptyline, and Gabapentin
09/29/25San MateoMSCCGeneral Population Housing Unit 3 ValleyBF31Unsentenced - Awaiting TrialAccidentToxic Effects of Fentanyl
* As determined by the Coroner’s Office

Infographic from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office titled “Death in Custody Process Overview.” It explains that when a death occurs in a County-owned correctional facility, multiple independent agencies conduct reviews. White panels list the roles of the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Justice, Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau, Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Bureau, County Coroner’s Office, Board of State and Community Corrections, and Correctional Health Services, Division of San Mateo County Health.

 

Timeline infographic outlining the response to a death in custody. On a dark blue background with a faded Sheriff’s Office badge, seven numbered steps describe the process: 1) A death in custody occurs. 2) The Coroner’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau, and Professional Standards Bureau immediately begin independent investigations; a press release with preliminary information is issued. 3) Within 10 days, the death is reported to the California Department of Justice and the Board of State and Community Corrections, and preliminary information is posted on the Sheriff’s Office website. 4) Within 30 days, an in-custody death incident review is completed. 5) The Coroner’s Office and District Attorney’s Office complete their independent investigations. 6) Within 60 days, the Death Review Report is submitted to the Board of State and Community Corrections for review and recommendations. 7) Within 30 days after the Coroner’s Office and District Attorney’s Office complete their findings, information is posted to the Sheriff’s Office website and a press release is issued. The graphic concludes that the Sheriff’s Office reviews findings and takes appropriate steps to improve correctional facilities, policies, procedures, and standards of care.