Deaths in CustodyWork in progressIn progress
Died in jail or a lockup

William Hayden Schuck

22 years old · died March 16, 2022 · San Diego Central Jail, San Diego County, California

William Hayden Schuck, known to his family as Hayden, was 22 when he died in March 2022 while held in the San Diego Central Jail, about six days after an arrest following a rollover crash. His mother, Sabrina Schuck, said he had struggled with addiction and ADHD and that the family had been trying to get him into treatment. His family's lawsuit says he became disoriented and weak, that staff failed to check on him or get him medical care, and that he died of dehydration and untreated withdrawal that led to heart failure. The autopsy listed complications of drug intoxication with dehydration as a contributing factor, and the county agreed to pay $16 million to settle the family's federal lawsuit, which the Sheriff's Office said has been followed by jail improvements.

Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The family's lawsuit says jail staff failed to get him care as he became severely dehydrated and went through untreated withdrawal, which led to heart failure, while the autopsy listed complications of drug intoxication with dehydration as a contributing factor.

Reported by: autopsy; family's lawsuit and attorneys (family or their lawyers).

Lawsuit: His family sued San Diego County in federal court over his death and the county settled the case for $16 million in 2025.

Sources (8)

Read the California reportSee on the California mapSee on the national mapAll records

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