Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Richard Matus Jr.

29 years old · died September 3, 2022 · Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, Riverside County, California

Mario Solis, 31, was held at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley, Riverside County, California, when he died on September 3, 2022. His mother, Sara Solis, and the family's attorney say he had a long history of suicidal behavior, that a nurse could not give him his psychiatric medication that night, and that deputies continued their rounds for 11 minutes after finding him unresponsive. Court records say deputies found him in his cell and that he died of asphyxia after swallowing several objects. The Riverside County sheriff-coroner ruled the death accidental rather than suicide, a finding the family's attorney strongly disputes. In February 2026 a federal jury found that deputies and jail medical staff did not violate his constitutional rights, and the family's attorney said she will appeal.

Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner's record lists a fentanyl overdose and Sheriff Chad Bianco gave it as the preliminary cause, but his mother questions that he overdosed, and his family's lawsuit alleges deputies did not promptly answer intercom calls for help as he struggled to breathe.

Reported by: Riverside County Sheriff's Department coroner's death record (medical examiner or coroner); Sheriff Chad Bianco (the agency that held him); his family and their attorney Christian Contreras, in a wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); federal jury.

Lawsuit: His family sued Riverside County and a federal jury awarded them $13.5 million in August 2026, finding Matus 60% responsible for his own death and the county 40% responsible.

News reports (25)

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Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.