In-Custody Death of an Inmate from the Central Men’s Jail 

February 3, 2026 – SANTA ANA, CA – Orange County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Sunday, February 1, 2026, an inmate who Orange County Sheriff Dept logowas housed at the Central Men's Jail in Santa Ana died at a local hospital.

The 77-year-old male inmate was booked by the Tustin Police Department on December 17, 2025, for PC 422 Criminal Threats and PC 417.4 Brandishing a Firearm.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the inmate was transported to a local area hospital via ambulance for respiratory-related issues. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital on February 1, 2026. A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology. The name of the decedent is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

Source: Orange County Sheriff's Office