Santa Rita Jail Inmate Death: 37-Year-Old Woman Found Unresponsive

DUBLIN, CA — A 37-year-old woman died in custody at Santa Rita Jail Friday, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. This marks the first in-custody death of 2026 for the jail, according to KTVU.

Kenyonna Farr, a 37-year-old former Oakland resident, was found unresponsive in her cell during a general observation check, ACSO said. Personnel initiated life-saving measures and requested emergency medical services, but Farr was pronounced dead at 4:18 a.m., authorities said.

Farr was arrested by the Oakland Police Department for a court order violation and booked into Santa Rita on March 10.

On Thursday, March 12, Farr was escorted to the Intake Transfer and Release area of Santa Rita Jail while awaiting transportation to court. At approximately 7:20 a.m., Farr was observed unresponsive in her holding cell. Deputies began life-saving measures, and she was transported to a nearby hospital. At around 12:30 p.m., she was cleared by medical personnel to return to the jail.

Farr's next of kin has been notified. A forensic pathologist will conduct an autopsy and toxicology tests to determine the cause and manner of death. The jail notified the District Attorney's Office and the California Attorney General's Office, per state law.

76 inmates have died at Santa Rita since 2014, according to KTVU.

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