Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Andrew Holland

36 years old · died January 22, 2017 · San Luis Obispo County Jail, San Luis Obispo County, California

Andrew Holland, 36, was a man with schizophrenia who grew up in San Luis Obispo County, where he was a surfer and a loyal brother and cousin, according to his family. He was held at the San Luis Obispo County Jail in January 2017 while awaiting transfer to a county psychiatric facility. Sources say jail staff kept him in a restraint chair for about 46 hours, and he died on January 22, 2017, after being moved to the floor of a cell. The sheriff-coroner attributed the death to a pulmonary embolism, while the family's private autopsy linked a leg blood clot to prolonged immobility in the chair, and the family says jail video contradicts the sheriff's department's account of checks and care.

Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The sheriff-coroner ruled the death natural from a pulmonary embolism, but the family's private autopsy and lawsuit say he was left strapped in a restraint chair for 46 hours, causing a clot, and that deputies watched him die while video contradicts the department's account of checks and care.

Reported by: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff-Coroner's division (medical examiner or coroner); San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); family's private autopsy (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); federal investigators; The Tribune (reporters).

Lawsuit: His family sued San Luis Obispo County and the county agreed to a $5 million settlement.

News reports (9)

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Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.