MURRIETA: Officials investigating in-custody death after inmate found unresponsive at jail

November 30, 2017 Trevor Montgomery

MURRIETA — Officials are investigating the Wednesday, Nov. 29 in-custody death of an inmate who died while incarcerated at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, according to sheriff’s officials.

The name of the inmate who died has not yet been released publicly, pending further investigation and notification of the man’s family.

Deputies assigned to the detention facility located a Hispanic male adult “unresponsive within the Intake area of the facility,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Brett Seckinger explained in a written press release the day after the man’s death.

He was found about 10 a.m.

“Deputies and medical personnel in the jail initiated life saving measures, but the inmate later died,” said Seckinger.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Lake Elsinore Station’s Detective Bureau and Cois Byrd Detention Center investigators responded and assumed the investigation.

“There are no signs of foul play and due to the ongoing investigation,” Seckinger explained. “No further information will be released at this time.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Master Investigator Cornett of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number SC173330002 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 27 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 14 grandchildren.