In-Custody Death of an Inmate from the Theo Lacy Facility 

October 20, 2026 – ORANGE, CA – Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Monday, October 19, 2026, an inmate who was housed at the Theo Lacy Facility died at a local hospital.

The 47-year-old male inmate was booked by the Westminster Police Department on September 25, 2026, on a warrant for arrest for H&S 11377(a) Possession of a Controlled Substance.

On Friday, October 16, 2026, the inmate was transported by ambulance to a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital on Monday, October 19, 2026. The final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology. The decedent's name 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 Department