Man under influence of alcohol and drugs stops breathing in jail, dies at the hospital

On 06-13-2014, at about 2:40 pm a 42 year old male, who had been arrested by the Eureka Police Department for being under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, was brought into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. The male was medically cleared by jail staff and was placed into a sobering safety cell by himself. Correctional Officers conducted 15 minute cell checks on the male subject, per their policy. At about 4:00 pm, a Correctional Officer noticed the male was unresponsive and may not be breathing. The Correctional Officer and jail medical staff immediately began life saving measures which included CPR. The Eureka Fire Department and an ambulance were immediately notified and responded to the Correctional Facility.

Once the paramedics arrived on scene they continued efforts on the male. The male was transported to a local hospital by ambulance at about 4:16pm. At the hospital an emergency room Physician pronounced the man deceased. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office responded to the hospital and took possession of the man

A complete joint investigation into the circumstances of the man’s death is being conducted by Investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County Districts Attorney’s Office and the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

The victim’s name is not being released at this time until next of kin is notified by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy is being scheduled for later this week to determine cause of death.