Vinetta Martin
Vinetta Martin, 32, died on April 3, 2021, while held at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, California. Sources say she had told jail staff weeks earlier that she planned to kill herself, and her death was described as an apparent suicide. In 2023 the Alameda County District Attorney said two sheriff's deputies falsified logbooks to make it appear they had checked on her as required, and that video showed long gaps in those checks. A later report said the deputies were charged with falsifying the logs and that those charges were dismissed in September 2025, while the sheriff's office said the deputies are entitled to due process.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Alameda County District Attorney says two deputies falsified logbooks to hide long gaps in required checks on Vinetta Martin, who had told staff weeks earlier that she planned to kill herself.
Reported by: Alameda County District Attorney's Office (outside investigators); Santa Rita Jail (the agency that held her).