Inmate found dead at Northern Santa Barbara County Jail

September 16, 2026

Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 68-year-old inmate who was found unresponsive in the Northern Branch Jail on Tuesday.

Shortly after noon, while conducting a routine check, a custody deputy found the man unresponsive in his bed. The inmate was housed alone in a single-person cell, according to the sheriff’s office.

Custody deputies and Wellpath medical staff immediately began performing lifesaving measures and requested emergency medical assistance. Fire department personnel and paramedics arrived at the jail and continued lifesaving efforts.

Responders were unable to resuscitate the inmate. The man was pronounced deceased just before 1 p.m.

Sheriff’s officials say the inmate had been in custody since Aug. 3. He was being held for misdemeanor offenses including vandalism and two counts of indecent exposure, as well as felony charges including assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury. The inmate’s bail had been set at $15,000.

Authorities are withholding the decedent’s name while relatives are notified about the death.

The Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau is conducting an investigation to determine the official cause and manner of death. A separate sheriff’s office administrative review of the incident is also underway.