A 66-year-old man extradited from El Salvador for a 1991 murder in the Emerald Hills area of San Diego, died in hospital care after experiencing medical complications while in custody at the George Bailey Detention Facility. The San Diego Sheriff's Department reported that the man, whose identity has not yet been released, was booked into custody on Monday, September 23.
On November 15, the detainee was transported to a local hospital due to shortness of breath and later moved to the ICU when his condition worsened. The Sheriff's Homicide investigators received a notification on the morning of November 26 that the male passed away. Efforts are underway to locate and notify his family, and the Sheriff's Office plans to inform the Consulate General of El Salvador about the incident. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer is being appointed to support the family during this time.
There is an established protocol for any in-custody death which the Sheriff's Homicide Unit is currently following. A thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the man's death. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is tasked with determining the cause and manner of death.
The Citizen's Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) has been apprised of this incident, in line with the oversight protocols. With matters of custody death often raising concerns about the treatment of those held at detention facilities, the outcome of both the investigation and the Medical Examiner's conclusions are awaited to provide clarity on this unfortunate event.
