Daniel Thompson
Daniel Thompson, 36, died in March 2025 at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he was held. The coroner's office lists the cause as ligature strangulation and the manner as homicide, and says he was strangled by his cellmate during a fight in their cell. Deputies responded after another person in the jail pressed the emergency button and reported the fight, and Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene. His family, who describe him as their loved one, has sued the county, alleging jail staff failed to properly evaluate the cellmate's risk and to follow housing and welfare-check policies. The county declined comment citing pending litigation, and the sheriff's office said the investigation was ongoing.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner's office ruled he died of ligature strangulation by his cellmate, and his family's lawsuit alleges jail staff failed to properly evaluate the cellmate's risk and to follow housing and welfare-check policies.
Reported by: coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Sacramento County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Sacramento County over his death at the Sacramento County Main Jail, alleging jail staff failed to evaluate his cellmate's risk and to follow housing and welfare-check policies; no settlement or award has been reported.