Lonnie Rupard
Lonnie Rupard, 46, was someone his son Justino described as his hero, a man he looked up to. Rupard died in March 2022 at the Central Jail in downtown San Diego, where he had been held for about three months. The county medical examiner's report, released by the Sheriff's Department, cited pneumonia linked to COVID-19, malnutrition and dehydration, and ruled the death a homicide, while noting elements of self-neglect and that he depended on others for his care. A consultant's report cited in a family civil lawsuit against the county said he lost weight in custody and was not given psychiatric medication he had previously responded to. The Sheriff's Department said homicide investigators are looking into the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration, citing neglected schizophrenia and ineffective care; a consultant's report says he was not given psychiatric medication he had previously responded to, and his family's lawsuit alleges the county failed to provide adequate care.
Reported by: San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a civil lawsuit against San Diego County over his death, and no settlement or award amount is reported.
News reports (5)
- Protest held after medical examiner rules death of man in jail a homicide - San Diego Union-Tribune
- ‘Long way to go': Lawyers, families discuss San Diego County jail conditions
- After record $15 million settlement, San Diego County still confronts a slew of other jail-death lawsuits - San Diego Union-Tribune
- In 5 years since investigation, little progress in stopping deaths in San Diego County jails - San Diego Union-Tribune
- ‘No meaningful treatment’: Doctor says San Diego County jails are the worst he’s ever seen - San Diego Union-Tribune