Banning Jail Inmate Dies In Custody

BANNING, CA —Riverside County sheriff's officials on Monday were investigating the death of a jail inmate who got sick while in custody, and then apparently died from that sickness. The man, who had been locked up at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, died on Sunday.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Richard Carroll, the 54-year-old man — who was not immediately publicly identified — had been hospitalized for a few days before he "succumbed to a life threatening illness at a local hospital."

"At this time, no foul play is suspected," Carroll said in a news release. "Investigators from the Cabazon Station Investigation's Bureau are conducting an investigation into the inmate's death."

Anyone who might have information related to the case was asked to call Investigator Hensley at the Cabazon Station at (951) 922-7100.

— Patch file photo