82-year-old man dies while in custody at San Diego jail

An 82-year-old man died after he was found unresponsive in his San Diego Central Jail cell Monday morning, sheriff’s officials said.

Investigators said the man was discovered by the staff at the jail when they were distributing medication around 8:40 a.m., Lt. Juan Marquez said.

Officials called 911, and paramedics arrived to take over life-saving measures, Marquez said. He died around 9:10 a.m.

The man’s name has not been released, pending notification of his family.

Marquez said the man had been in custody since May 27, and was facing allegations of mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse. He was pending a court hearing related to his mental competency.

The Sheriff’s Office said the jail death is being investigated by its homicide division, as are all in-custody deaths. It is also being reviewed by the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board, the county’s civilian oversight body.

He is the seventh person to die at a San Diego County jail this year.