Died in jail or a lockup
Juan José Lara
Juan José Lara, 54, of Santa Maria, died on the night of June 28, 2025, while held at the Northern Branch Jail. He died in his cell, and accounts differ on whether he was pronounced dead at the scene or after paramedics tried to revive him. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and the coroner are reviewing the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined
Reported by: Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.