Jonathan McDowell
Before he came into custody, Jonathan McDowell, 47, of Ramona, was being treated for a mood disorder, according to a 2025 correctional health expert's report prepared for a lawsuit. He was found hanging in his cell at the George Bailey Detention Facility in San Diego County on July 19, 2023, and was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he died on July 29. The sheriff's department said an autopsy concluded he died by hanging and that the manner of death was suicide, and its homicide unit is investigating. The same report said he told staff at booking that he was having a mental breakdown, but his first psychiatric evaluation did not take place until about three and a half months after he entered custody.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The medical examiner's autopsy found he died by hanging and ruled it a suicide, while a lawsuit expert report says jail staff did not give him a psychiatric evaluation for about three and a half months after he reported a mental breakdown at booking.
Reported by: Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); San Diego County Sheriff's Department (the agency that held him); Dunsmore lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a lawsuit over his death in the George Bailey Detention Facility, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.