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Died in prison

Joseph Mendoza

36 years old · died April 8, 2025 · Salinas Valley State Prison, Monterey County, California

Joseph Mendoza, 36, was held at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, California, where his mother said he had a kind nature and worked in the visitation room, and his wife Celina Mendoza and parents Zina Kumetat and Ismael Mendoza have spoken publicly about his death. On April 8, 2025, he was attacked in a day room by two other incarcerated men, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said staff used less-than-lethal force to end the attack and that he was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. His family's federal lawsuit alleges that officers did not intervene quickly, did not use weapons or call for backup, and ignored his earlier request to be moved for his safety. The state attorney general acknowledges he was fatally stabbed but denies any wrongdoing by the prison or its staff.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). CDCR says two incarcerated men attacked him with improvised weapons and staff used less-than-lethal force to end it, while his family's federal lawsuit alleges officers watched without intervening, did not stop the attack in time after he asked for protective custody, and delayed medical care.

Reported by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the agency that held him); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; his family's wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).

Lawsuit: His family sued the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, alleging officers failed to intervene and delayed medical care, and the state has denied the allegations; no settlement or award amount has been reported.

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