Investigation continuing after Riverside County second inmate death reported in days

UPDATED: Sunday, Aug. 22, 12:23 p.m., With information regarding second in-custody death.

Originally Published: Thursday, Aug. 19, 11:35 p.m.

RIVERSIDE, Calif., — Authorities today are continuing to investigate the in-custody death of an inmate who passed away while being housed at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside early Wednesday morning, Aug. 18. Wednesday’s death was followed just three days later by another in-custody death that occurred at the same downtown Riverside facility early Saturday morning, Aug. 21.

Officials have since reported there were no signs of foul play suspected in either inmates’ deaths and that their separate and unrelated investigations are continuing.

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Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Robert Presley Detention Center were called to the cell of an unresponsive male inmate shortly before 4:30 a.m., Riverside Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant Deanna Pecoraro later reported.

“Custody staff immediately responded to the cell, located the unresponsive male, and administered life-saving measures,” described Pecororo; adding, “Cal-Fire responded and pronounced the inmate deceased on scene at 4:37 am.”

After the inmate’s passing, department investigators responded and assumed the investigation into the man’s death.

“The cause of death will later be determined by the Coroner’s Bureau. The identification of the victim will not be released at this time pending notification to the family,” said the Sergeant.

“There are no signs of foul play and due to the ongoing status of the investigation, no further information is available at this time,” she continued.

SEE RELATED: “No signs of foul play” after Second Riverside County inmate death in three days

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Investigator Sanchez at (951) 955-0156. Callers can refer to incident file number RC212300001 and can remain anonymous.



Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.