Inmate Found Unresponsive in Murrieta Cellblock

Male inmate found unresponsive Saturday at Cois Byrd Detention Center

A 31-year-old white male inmate was found unresponsive at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, according to a news release from Correctional Lt. Shannon Flakes.

Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office-Cois Byrd Detention Center were called to the cell of an unresponsive male inmate. The inmate, who had been sentenced, was discovered in Housing Unit F, Dayroom 3, Cell #FH52.

Custody staff and jail medical staff immediately administered life-saving measures, according to Flakes. American Medical Response and Cal Fire personnel also responded and assumed life-saving measures.

Ultimately, American Medical Response pronounced the male inmate deceased at 4:48 p.m.

Riverside Sheriff’s Office investigators responded and assumed the investigation. The cause of death will later be determined by the Coroner’s Bureau. The identification of the victim will not be released at this time pending notification to the family.

There are no signs of foul play and due to the ongoing status of the investigation, no further information is available at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Williams at (951) 696-3050.

The death on Saturday was at least the third in-custody death in Riverside County Jails this year, according to Sheriff’s Department news releases.

On Jan. 12, the department reported a man was killed by a fellow inmate at the Riverside County jail in Murrieta.

On Feb. 5, deputies were conducting a security check around 2 p.m. when they found an unresponsive man in a cell at the Robert Presley Detention Center, according to the sheriff’s department.