Notice of In-Custody Death at Hospital 

January 26, 2026 – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office officials report that an incarcerated person who was found unresponsive in his cell was transported to an area hospital, where he has died. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., custody staff conducting 15-minute interval checks found 65-year-old Jonathan Lundahl from Santa Barbara unresponsive in his single person cell with no signs of trauma. Fire and medics responded and Lundahl was transported to an area hospital where he later suffered cardiac arrest. Lundahl could not be resuscitated and died at the hospital at approximately 11:11 p.m.

Lundahl was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office on September 24, 2025, for a felony charge of elder abuse. His next court hearing was scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Preliminarily this death appears to be the result of natural causes; however, a full death investigation is underway to determine an official cause and manner. In accordance with policy, an administrative investigation is also in progress.

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office