Derick Moncada
Derick Moncada, 35, died in March 2007 in his cell at Kern Valley State Prison, where he was held after being sentenced, hours after investigators from the Alameda County sheriff's office had interviewed him. The Kern County coroner's office and sheriff's officials ruled his death a suicide by hanging, and a note he left said the act was not an admission of guilt. Funeral services for Moncada were held in Livermore around the time of a news conference about the case. The sheriff's office said its investigation into the circumstances of his death was continuing.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. The Kern County coroner's office and Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dudek ruled his death a suicide by hanging.
Reported by: Kern County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dudek (the agency that held him).