Cecilia Michelle Covarrubias
Cecelia Covarrubias, 41, of Santa Ynez, died on November 13, 2024, in an isolation cell at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail, where she was held. The sheriff's office said she hanged herself in a single-person observation cell and that its investigation into how it happened was still underway. Her family, through attorney Dale Galipo, says she was on suicide watch, that jail staff had seen signs of her risk, and that staff allowed her death and were slow to respond. A disability rights monitor said the county committed in 2023 to removing ceiling tie-off points from observation cells, and it is unclear whether that was done. The county has not yet responded to the family's claim, and a state review panel is examining the jail's response.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says she hanged herself in a single-person observation cell, while her family, through attorney Dale Galipo's claim against the county, says she was on suicide watch, that staff who saw warning signs allowed her death, and that they were slow to respond.
Reported by: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); family's claim through attorney Dale Galipo against the county (family or their lawyers); disability rights monitor.