In the past six years, 478 people have died under the care of the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County jails.
To better understand that figure, the Southern California News Group compiled a searchable database tracking every death, including the causes of death for nearly all of the inmates. The findings formed the basis of a two-part series, “Death Behind Bars,” that explored who was dying, why and what each county is doing to prevent more deaths.
The review found that while deaths were on a decline in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Los Angeles County had reversed course from its six-year low in 2024 and shot to near record highs this year. Despite reforms, all four of the counties remain at, or in some cases, well above, 20-year averages.
Of the deaths since January 2020:
- 45%, or 216, were from “natural” causes.
- 22%, or 103, were from drug overdoses, with half of those deaths involving fentanyl.
- 14%, or 65, were from suicides.
- 7%, or 33, were still pending investigations.
- 6.5%, or 31, were homicides.
Two-thirds of those who die have not yet been convicted of anything. More than half did not reach the age of 45.
You can search the database below for specific terms, such as an inmate’s name, a specific cause or manner of death, race and county name, for example. Use the page button at the top right to scroll through the results. Many of the listings also include links to supporting documents, including autopsies, sheriff’s reports and lawsuits filed as a result of the deaths.