Inmate Leonel Villasenor Died After Being Found Unconscious At The San Diego Central Jail
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (April 13, 2022) – An inmate identified as Leonel Villasenor has died after being found unconscious at the San Diego Central Jail.
San Diego county officials are saying that the incident began around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Deputies found Leonel Villasenor slumped over on a partition wall not far away from the toilet.
Jail officials and emergency personnel began life-saving measures to save the inmate. Sadly, Leonel Villasenor was pronounced dead at the scene.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine a cause of death. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In San Diego Inmate Deaths
San Diego County jails are notorious for how poorly inmates are treated. According to one report by US News, “From 2006 through 2020, 185 people died in San Diego County’s jails — one of the highest totals in California. The review requested by lawmakers found that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department failed to adequately assess inmates’ physical and mental health, which it said likely contributed to the deaths.” There are a number of common causes of inmate deaths including:
- Heart attacks
- Chronic illness
- Inmate assaults
- Drug/alcohol intoxication
All inmates have a right to reasonably adequate healthcare. Failure to give inmates adequate healthcare is a deprivation of their constitutional rights. It may also form the basis of a negligence claim. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate and they die, they could be held accountable through a civil claim. What will constitute “deliberate indifference” will depend on the specific facts of any case.
Consider, for example, the tragic death of Bernard Victorianne who died in custody at a San Diego jail. The victim was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. He swallowed a bag of meth during the booking process. Hospital staff ordered that he receive prompt medical care if he showed signs of an overdose. But jail staff failed to give him appropriate medical care even though he was exhibiting signs of overdosing on meth. The city eventually settled with the family for $2.3 million. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any inmate death.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- An independent autopsy should be performed.
- Records of all inmate safety checks should be examined.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any inmate that died in custody may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Sadly, though, jails will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility for the death of any inmate in their custody. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Diego Inmate Death
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Leonel Villasenor. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Has someone that you love died in custody at the San Diego Central Jail? Our team of inmate advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping inmates understand their rights and fighting to help protect those rights. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an in-custody death we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
