El Cerrito Woman Dies in Martinez Jail

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- An inmate who died at the Martinez jail on Saturday has been identified as 36-year old Maria Barraza of El Cerrito.

Barraza had been arrested by El Cerrito police on suspicion of domestic violence and was booked Friday at about 10:40 p.m., according to sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee.

Authorities said Barraza apparently hanged herself inside a bathroom in the women's holding area at the jail and was found at 3:31 a.m.

Medical staff at the jail immediately began life-saving measures and a fire department and an ambulance also responded, but Barraza was pronounced dead at the scene, Lee said.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office and the sheriff's office are investigating the death.

Bay City News contributed to this report.