Gabriel Otero
Gabriel Otero, 33, died at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City on March 9, 2026, where he was held in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He was found unresponsive in his cell, and the Del Norte County coroner pronounced him dead later that afternoon. CDCR says it is investigating his death as a homicide, and his cellmate has been placed in restricted housing pending review by prison investigators and the Del Norte County District Attorney's Office. No charges have been announced, and the cause and any motive have not been publicly released.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. CDCR is investigating the death as a homicide, and his cellmate was placed in restricted housing pending the investigation.
Reported by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the agency that held him); Del Norte County Coroner (medical examiner or coroner).
News reports (6)
- Monterey County man found dead in state prison
- Pelican Bay State Prison Officials Investigating the Death of an Incarcerated Person as a Homicide - News Releases - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Pelican Bay Cell Becomes Crime Scene As Monterey County Inmate Turns Up Dead
- Death of inmate at Pelican Bay investigated as a homicide - Times-Standard
- Pelican Bay State Prison Officials Investigating the Death of an Incarcerated Person as a Homicide
- Pelican Bay prison officials investigate inmate death as homicide