An 82-year-old man in custody at a San Diego jail has died, the San Diego Sheriff's Department confirmed. Thomas Richard Heaven, the incarcerated individual, was transported from San Diego Central Jail to a local hospital on March 17, due to health concerns including low blood pressure and a high heart rate, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Heaven's medical situation deteriorated over time, leading to his transfer to the Hospital Guard Unit at another local hospital on April 7, where he stayed under the sheriff's custody until his demise.
Roughly a month after his initial hospitalization, on Thursday, Heaven experienced a rapid decline in health, marked by low oxygen levels. According to the hospital, Heaven was pronounced deceased at 11:45 PM Heaven's passing occurred. He had been awaiting sentencing for multiple counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age, with a court date scheduled for May 5.
The passing of Heaven while in custody has triggered a standard response from the Sheriff's Homicide Unit, which is now tasked with conducting a thorough in-custody death investigation. The Medical Examiner's Office has not yet determined the cause and manner of death, with an autopsy originally planned for the day following the notification of Heaven's death.
