Willie Toa Jr.
Willie Toa Jr., 30, was held at the San Bernardino County Central Detention Center in California when he died on June 22, 2025, two days after he was booked there. His family, who describe him as a kind and hardworking man who worked as a forklift driver at Trader Joe's and had plans for the future, believes he was severely beaten, citing a tip from another person held in the jail who said he came back to his cell visibly battered. The county coroner has autopsied him, but the death certificate lists no cause of death, and the family is calling for an independent investigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). The family believes Toa was severely beaten, citing a tip from another person held in the jail who said he returned to his cell visibly battered, and is calling for an independent investigation; the county coroner's death certificate lists no cause of death.
Reported by: family; witnesses; county coroner.