Adam Preston Adams
Adam Preston Adams, 56, who had schizophrenia, was killed in his cell at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on May 21, 2023. Authorities say his cellmate was responsible, and his daughter, Jennifer Quintero, has said in a wrongful-death suit that the county's deputies failed to protect him despite knowing the risk the cellmate posed. The county has denied negligence, and according to Hoodline the federal case was dismissed in October 2026 after a reported settlement of $1.75 million, an amount the county had not confirmed. Her attorney said no amount of money can bring her father back.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). His daughter's wrongful-death lawsuit says his cellmate killed him after slamming his head onto a concrete floor and that deputies failed to protect him despite knowing the cellmate posed a risk; the county denied negligence.
Reported by: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (the agency that held him); his daughter's wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His daughter, Jennifer Quintero, sued San Bernardino County over his death, and the federal case was dismissed on October 7, 2026 after a settlement reported at $1.75 million that the county had not confirmed.