66-year-old inmate died of natural causes while in custody at George Bailey

A 66-year-old inmate who died last year while in custody at a San Diego County jail succumbed to natural causes, according to an autopsy released by the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

Alfredo Hernandez, who had been extradited from El Salvador to the United States on a 1991 murder charge, died on Nov. 15 due to medical complications caused by sepsis, sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez said Thursday.

The autopsy showed his condition was the result of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia that, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a type of MRSA staph infection resistant to antibiotics.

On Sept. 23, Hernandez was booked into sheriff’s custody after he was brought back to San Diego to face charges in connection with the slaying of 39-year-old Terri Bistodeau, who was found dead in her Emerald Hills home bedroom on Aug. 4, 1991, investigators previously said.

While awaiting trial at George Bailey Detention Facility, Hernandez suffered from shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital on Nov. 15, Marquez said. Due to medical complications, he was then transferred to the ICU.

Nearly two weeks later, homicide investigators were informed he had died at the hospital, Marquez said.

The Sheriff’s Office notified the Consulate General of El Salvador and Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board of the incident.