Lester Daniel Marroquin
Lester Daniel Marroquin, 35, died on May 30, 2021, while held in a San Diego County jail. His mother has described him and her as a constant source of healing and comfort to one another, and his family called him "Danny." His family says he had repeatedly tried to take his own life and that he was placed in a segregation cell, where he was seen passed out on the floor, and an autopsy-based account gives acute water intoxication as the cause of death. His mother's federal lawsuit alleges deputies did not check on him and medical staff were delayed, and a federal judge allowed her claims against three jail employees to proceed, which the defendants deny. The county settled the suit in April 2025 with terms not disclosed, and later agreed to pay $4 million to the family.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). His family's federal lawsuit says deputies did not do the 15-minute safety checks required for him and left him after he was seen passed out in his cell, while a summary of a later account says he died by suicide, and the county settled for $4 million.
Reported by: his mother, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); his family.
Lawsuit: His family sued the San Diego County sheriff's department in 2022 over his death in county jail custody, and the county settled the suit in 2025 for $4 million.
News reports (5)
- San Diego Race Will Decide New Leadership For California’s Deadliest Jail System
- After record $15 million settlement, San Diego County still confronts a slew of other jail-death lawsuits - San Diego Union-Tribune
- 3 defendants in San Diego jail death case can't dodge mother's claims, judge rules
- Mother of man who died in San Diego County jail settles lawsuit
- Montgomery Steppe proposes new oversight body for Sheriff’s Office - San Diego Union-Tribune