RAMONA MAN HANGED SELF IN COUNTY JAIL, MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORTS

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff's Dept.

August 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Jonathan McDowell, 47, of Ramona died at Scripps Mercy Hospital on July 29, 10 days after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the George Bailey detention facility. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy has concluded that McDowell died of asphyxia due to hanging and that his death was a suicide.

A statement from the Sheriff’s department says,  “We extend our sympathies to the McDowell family and those affected by his death. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.”

McDowell was arrested on Feb. 20 on charges of assaulting a peace officer with a gun,  attempted murder, and committing a felony while  on bail or release.

Deputies and jail medical staff provided medical aid including CPR, Naloxone, and an AED device before being relieved by the fire department and arranging transport to the hospital. 

As is the protocol for all in-custody deaths, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit will conduct a thorough investigation.  The Citizen's Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) was also notified of this incident.

This is the second hanging death of a suspect in the Sheriff’s custody in the past several weeks. On June 28, Pedro Junior Ornelas III of El Cajon died of suicide by hanging.  He was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego Central Jail and died two days later at UCSD Medical Center.

A 2019 report found the San Diego County Sheriff’s department had the highest number of jail deaths of any major county in California. Despite a new Sheriff and many changes that have implemented aimed at reducing in-custody deaths, the rate this year is on track to be one of the highest yet. A dozen people have died so far this year in custody of the San Diego County Sheriff from causes that include drug overdoses, sepsis, and suicide.