Christopher Zumwalt
Christopher Zumwalt, 39, was a construction worker who remodeled kitchens and the father of three children; his mother, Robin Zumwalt, said family was hugely important to him and that he loved fishing and camping with his partner and children. In October 2020 he was held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, Riverside County, California, where his family's lawyer says deputies used pepper spray, a flash-bang grenade and a Taser, then placed him in a restraint chair without medical monitoring, with restraints said to have restricted his breathing. According to the family's account, he became unresponsive, was revived by paramedics with severe brain damage, and died at a hospital two days later. Sheriff Chad Bianco disputes the family's account, saying the deputies acted lawfully and that methamphetamine-induced psychosis caused the death, and the county paid the family $7.5 million in 2024, which the sheriff said was a business decision.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). His family's lawyer says deputies used pepper spray, a flash-bang and a shield and restrained him in a chair without medical monitoring, which restricted his breathing; the sheriff says the force was lawful and methamphetamine-induced psychosis caused the death.
Reported by: Riverside County Sheriff's Department (the agency that held him); family's attorney John Burton (family or their lawyers); Riverside County coroner (medical examiner or coroner).
Lawsuit: Riverside County agreed to pay Christopher Zumwalt's family $7.5 million in 2024 to settle a lawsuit over his death.
News reports (5)
- Riverside County reaches $7.5 million settlement in lawsuit over inmate who died after violent encounter with deputies
- Death in sheriff’s custody leads Riverside County to pay $7.5-million settlement
- In a California county where the sheriff is also the coroner, families seek change
- Over 3 Years, 43 People Died in Riverside County Jail. Christopher Zumwalt, Violently Pulled from a Cell While Having a Psychotic Crisis, Was One
- Civil grand jury encourages sweeping reforms, civilian oversight of Riverside County jails - The Press-Enterprise