Inmate found dead in cell of California's Contra Costa County jail
Published in News & Features
MARTINEZ, Calif. — An inmate at the Martinez Detention Facility died in custody Sunday, authorities said.
A Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office deputy found 62-year-old Victor Jose Faria unresponsive in his cell in the B module of the facility about 5:10 p.m., the agency said in a statement. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy immediately requested help from the jail medical staff and rescue attempts.
Authorities pronounced Faria dead at the scene. He was the second inmate to die at the Martinez Detention Facility this month. Authorities found Kirk Richardson, 61, dead in his cell on Jan. 8.
Faria had been arrested on Jan. 15 on suspicion of trespassing and felony probation violation, the sheriff’s office said. They added that he had been unhoused.
Per protocol, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is investigating along with the sheriff’s office.
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