James Karis
James Karis, a man held on death row at San Quentin State Prison, died there on January 31, 2013, at about 6:40 a.m., in the single cell where he was held. The state corrections department's press release said the cause of death was unknown pending an autopsy, and officials said there were no obvious signs of suicide. The El Dorado County District Attorney, Vern Pierson, later said he died of natural causes, and the corrections department's own record also lists natural causes. Sources do not agree on how he was found: one account says he was found unresponsive alone in his cell.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The prison and El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said he died of natural causes, though an earlier release said the cause was unknown pending autopsy.
Reported by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the agency that held him); El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson.