Inmate Died Of Water Intoxication, Sheriff's Office Says

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner's Office has classified the death of an inmate found dead in his cell May 10 as an accident and said he suffered from water intoxication.

Tamario Smith, 21, died unexpectedly in his cell. He did not share a cell with anyone and there were no visible signs of injury or trauma, the sheriff's office previously said.

A forensic pathologist determined he drank too much water in a short period of time partly due to mental health issues, causing an electrolyte imbalance that caused his organs to fail, the sheriff's office said Thursday in a news release.

There is no evidence of trauma, foul play, toxic substances or COVID-19, the sheriff's office said.

Smith was arrested in January on suspicion of domestic violence-related charges, the sheriff's office said.