FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

2019

CORONER UNIT STATISTICS

Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner

Lt. Robert Woodrum, Unit Commander

Report Prepared by Deputy Coroner, Jeff Gentry

3333 E. American Avenue, Suite G

Fresno, CA 93725

1

Coroner Unit Staff:

Unit Commander: Lt. Robert Woodrum

Chief Forensic Pathologist: Dr. Venu Gopal

Forensic Pathologist: Dr. Michael Chambliss

Lead Deputy Coroner: Kelly Matlock

Deputy Coroner II: Sarah Davis, Loretta Andrews, Imron Ramos, Jeff Gentry, Leticia Funderburk

Forensic Tech: Ophelie Kompaore, George Franco, Catherine Prieto, Emily Martin, Martin Kams

Summary:

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office (Coroner Unit) investigates all suspicious, unnatural and

unexpected deaths that occur in Fresno County. Our six coroner investigators are responsible for

death investigations in all 6,011 square miles of Fresno County. Our two Forensic Pathologist’s

determine both cause and manner of death in all coroner case death investigations.

In 2019, there were 7,469 deaths in Fresno County. Of those deaths, 3793 were reported to the

Coroner Unit for review. The Coroner Unit accepted 991 of those reported deaths as coroner cases

and performed an examination, toxicology or medical record review to determine the cause and

manner of death.

In 2019, 1,459 bodies were transported to the Coroner Unit morgue.

In 2019, our two Forensic Pathologist’s performed a total of 859 examinations.

*All statistics are subject to change pending additional death investigation. Statistics updated on

01/22/2020.

2

Legend:

Overalls Statistics: pg. 3 – 7

Fresno County Death Trends: pg. 3

Pathologist Examinations: pg. 5

Bodies Transported to Coroner Morgue: pg. 5

Accident - Motor Vehicle Related Deaths: pg. 8 – 9

MVA by Type: pg. 8

MVA (Investigating Agency): pg. 9

Fresno County MVA Death Trends: pg. 9

Accident – Overdose Deaths: pg. 10 - 13

Single Drug Overdose: pg. 11

Combined Drug Overdose: pg. 12

Fresno County Drug Overdose Death Trends: pg. 13

Accident – Other Deaths: pg. 14

Suicide Deaths: pg. 15 - 18

Fresno County Suicide Death Trends: pg. 15

Suicide by Type: pg. 15

Suicide by Zip Code: pg. 18

Homicide Deaths: pg. 19 - 23

Fresno County Homicide Death Trends: pg. 19

Homicide Deaths by Type: pg. 19

Homicide Deaths by Zip Code: pg. 22

Homicide Deaths by Investigating Agency: pg. 23

Officer Involved Shootings: pg. 23

In Custody Deaths: pg. 24

3

Coroner Unit Death Investigation Statistics (2019) – Overall:

Total Fresno County Deaths (2019): 7,469

Fresno County Map:

59816024

5933

61296234

6487

6345

6527

6636

70157067

7469

5500

5700

5900

6100

6300

6500

6700

6900

7100

7300

7500

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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YEAR

FRESNO COUNTY DEATHS [2008-2019] - TOTAL

4

Coroner Unit Death Investigation Statistics (2019) – Overall:

Deaths Reported to Coroner Unit (2019): 3,793

Coroner Case Investigations (2019) – Reports Produced: 991

3699

3591

3516

3454

3386

3574

3818

3965

3793

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

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EATH

S R

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RTE

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YEAR

DEATHS REPORTED TO CORONER UNIT [2011 - 2019]

801

873

840

906888

1017

1081

986 991

800

850

900

950

1000

1050

1100

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

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CORONER CASE INVESTIGATIONS [2011-2019] - REPORTS PRODUCED

5

Coroner Unit Death Investigation Statistics (2019) – Overall:

Total Forensic Pathologist Examinations (2019): 859

Autopsy Examinations: 446

External Examinations / Toxicology / Medical Record Review: 413

Bodies Transported to Coroner Morgue (2019): 1,459

229 252358 385 366

444 437 431 413

342397

390391 402

462 487405 446

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

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YEAR

FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST EXAMINATIONS [2011-2019]

EXTERNAL EXAM AUTOPSY EXAM

776

571

649

748 768

906 924836 859

1054 1053

1212 1206

1382

1487

14301459

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

1450

1500

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

F B

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IES

YEAR

BODIES TRANSPORTED TO CORONER MORGUE [2012-2019]

6

Coroner Unit Death Investigation Statistics (2019) – Overall:

Total Coroner Cases (2019): 991

Natural: 357

Accident: 445

Motor Vehicle Accident: 163

Overdose: 164

Other Accidents: 118

Suicide: 109

Homicide: 80

NATURAL, 357, 36%

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, 163, 16%

OVERDOSE, 164, 17%

OTHER ACCIDENT, 118, 12%

SUICIDE, 109, 11%

HOMICIDE, 80, 8%

TOTAL CORONER CASES [2019]

7

Coroner Unit Death Investigation Statistics (2019) – Overall:

Total Coroner Case Deaths (2019) – Gender Distribution:

Male: 726

Female: 265

Total Coroner Case Deaths (2019) – Age Distribution:

0-25 years: 137

26-50 years: 298

51-75 years: 416

76-100 years: 138

101+ years: 2

Average Age of Coroner Case (2019): 52 years old

MALE, 726, 73%

FEMALE, 265, 27%

TOTAL CORONER CASES [2019] - GENDER

137

298

416

138

20

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

0-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

# O

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ASE

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AGE RANGE (YEARS)

TOTAL CORONER CASES [2019] - AGE

8

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths:

Total Motor Vehicle Accident Related Deaths (2019): 163

- Auto vs. Auto: 52 - Solo Vehicle: 42 - Auto vs. Pedestrian: 43

- Motorcycle: 19 - Train vs. Pedestrian: 5 - Train vs. Vehicle: 2

Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths (2019) – Investigating Jurisdiction:

52

42 43

19

52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

AUTO VS. AUTO SOLO VEHICLE AUTO VS. PED MOTORCYCLE TRAIN VS. PED TRAIN VS. VEHICLE

# O

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VA

DEA

THS

DEATH TYPE

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DEATHS [2019] - TYPE

103

49

5 2 1 1 1 10

20

40

60

80

100

CHP FRESNO PD SELMA PD SANGER PD MENDOTA PD FIREBAUGH PD KERMAN PD KINGSBURG PD

# O

F M

VA

DEA

THS

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DEATHS [2019] - JURISDICTION

9

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths:

Total Motor Vehicle Accident Related Deaths (2019): 163

Auto vs. Auto or Solo Vehicle: 94 California Highway Patrol: 74

Fresno PD: 16

Selma PD: 3

Firebaugh PD: 1

Auto vs. Pedestrian: 43 California Highway Patrol: 17

Fresno PD: 23

Mendota PD: 1

Sanger PD: 1

Selma PD: 1

Train Accident: 7 Fresno PD: 5

Selma PD: 1

Kingsburg PD: 1

Motorcycle Accident: 19 California Highway Patrol: 12

Fresno PD: 5

Sanger PD: 1

Kerman PD: 1

Fresno County Motor Vehicle Accident Death Trends (2012-2019):

157160

176

157

177

198

167163

150

155

160

165

170

175

180

185

190

195

200

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

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EHIC

LE A

CC

IDEN

T D

EATH

S

YEAR

FRESNO COUNTY MVA DEATH TRENDS [2012-2019]

10

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Overdose Accident Deaths:

Total Accident Overdose Deaths (2019): 164

Single Drug Overdose Deaths: 118

Combined Drug Overdose Deaths: 46

Accident Overdose Deaths (2019) – Age Distribution

Average Age of Overdose Death: 49 years

Youngest Overdose Death: 16 years

Oldest Overdose Death: 77 years

Accident Overdose Deaths (2019) – Gender Distribution

3

2025

32

52

26

6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

10-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80

# O

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AGE

ACCIDENT OVERDOSE DEATHS [2019] - AGE

MALE, 120, 73%

FEMALE, 44, 27%

ACCIDENT OVERDOSE DEATHS [2019] - GENDER

11

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Overdose Accident Deaths:

Single Drug Overdose Deaths (2019): 118

- ALCOHOL: 7 - MDMA "ECSTASY": 1

- AMIODARONE: 1 - METFORMIN: 1

- AMITRIPTYLINE: 1 - METHADONE: 1

- COCAINE: 4 - METHAMPHETAMINE: 77

- DIFLUROETHANE “INHALANT”: 1 - MORPHINE: 9

- FENTANYL: 7 - OPIATES: 2

- HYDROCODONE: 3 - OXYCODONE: 2

- HYDROXYZINE: 1

Methamphetamine was present in (77) 65% of Single Drug Overdose Deaths.

Opiates were present in (24) 20% of Single Drug Overdose Deaths.

7

1 14

1

73 1 1 1 1

77

9

2 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

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DRUG TYPE

ACCIDENT OVERDOSE DEATHS [2019] - SINGLE DRUG

12

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Overdose Accident Deaths:

Combined Drug Overdose Deaths: 46

ACETAMINOPHEN, ALCOHOL, HYDROCODONE: 1

ACETAMINOPHEN, OXYCODONE: 1

ALCOHOL, COCAINE, QUETIAPINE: 1

ALCOHOL, DIPHENHYDRAMINE, MORPHINE: 1

ALCOHOL, FENTANYL: 2

ALCOHOL, FENTANYL, METHAMPHETAMINE: 1

ALCOHOL, HYDROXYZINE: 1

ALCOHOL, METHADONE, MIRTAZIPINE: 1

ALCOHOL, METHAMPHETMAINE: 1

ALCOHOL, MORPHINE: 3

ALCOHOL, QUETIAPINE: 1

ALCOHOL, SERTRALINE: 1

ALPRAZOLAM, CITALOPRAM, GABAPENTIN: 1

ALPRAZOLAM, FENTANYL, THC (TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL): 1

ALPRAZOLAM, VENLAFAXINE: 1

AMIODARONE, COCAINE: 1

AMIODARONE, METHAMPHETAMINE: 1

AMITRIPTYLINE, METHADONE: 1

BACLOFEN, METHAMPHETAMINE, VENLAFAXINE: 1

BENZODIAZEPINES, METHADONE, TRAMADOL: 1

BENZODIAZEPINES, OPIATES: 1

CARISOPRODOL (SOMA), COCAINE, MEPROBAMATE: 1

COCAINE, FENTANYL: 1

COCAINE, METHADONE: 1

COCAINE, OLANZIPINE: 1

FENTANYL, COCAINE: 1

FENTANYL, LORAZEPAM: 1

FENTANYL, MDMA (METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE) "ECSTASY": 1

FENTANYL, METHAMPHETAMINE: 2

FENTANYL, TRAMADOL: 1

HYDROXYZINE, SERTRALINE: 1

METHADONE, SETRALINE: 1

METHAMPHETAMINE, MORPHINE: 5

METHAMPHETAMINE, OPIATES: 1

METHAMPHETAMINE, PAROXETINE: 1

METHAMPHETAMINE, PCP (PHENCYCLIDINE): 1

POLYSUBSTANCE ABUSE: 1

DRUG USE – GENERAL: 1

- Methamphetamine was present in (14) 30% of Combined Drug Overdose Deaths.

- Opiates were present in (27) 59% of Combined Drug Overdose Deaths.

- Alcohol was present in (14) 30% of Combined Drug Overdose Deaths.

13

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Overdose Accident Deaths:

Fresno County Drug Overdose Death Trends (2009-2019):

2009: 94

2010: 98

2011: 73

2012: 98

2013: 87

2014: 131

2015: 148

2016: 157

2017: 128

2018: 123

2019: 164

9498

73

98

87

131

148

157

128

123

164

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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YEAR

FRESNO COUNTY DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH TRENDS [2009-2019]

14

Coroner Unit Accident Death Investigations (2019) – Other Accident Deaths:

Other Accident Deaths: 118

Fall: 66 Drowning: 15

- Ground level fall: 48 - Drowning in residential pool: 5

- Fall off a ladder: 3 - Drowning in bathtub: 1

- Fall down stairs or steps: 4 - Drowning in canal: 6

- Fall from bed: 2 - Drowning in storage container (child): 1

- Fall in shower: 1 - Drowning in Kings River: 1

- Fall off of a wall: 1 - Drowning in Huntington Lake: 1

- Fall in Kings Canyon Park: 3 Choking: 8

- Multiple falls: 4 - Choking after emesis: 1

Animal Related: 1 - Choking on meat: 2

Electrocution: 1 - Choking on an orange: 1

Industrial Related: 3 - Choking on cereal: 1

Vehicle Related: 2 - Choking on rice: 1

Accident Gunshot Wound: 1 - Choking on tacos: 1

Fetal or Infant Related: 7 - Choking on tortilla: 1

- Infant death co-sleeping: 2 Fire: 12

- Fetal death after maternal drug use: 3 - Residential fire: 11

- Fetal death after maternal injury: 2 - Vehicle fire: 1

Tree Trimming Accident: 2

15

Coroner Unit Suicide Death Investigations (2019):

Total Suicide Deaths (2019): 109

Suicide Death by Type

- Gunshot: 41 - Hanging: 39 - Overdose: 11 - Stabbing: 8

- Train: 5 - Vehicle: 2 - Asphyxia: 2 - Jumping: 1

Fresno County Suicide Death Trends (2010-2019):

4139

118

52 2 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

GUNSHOT HANGING OVERDOSE STABBING TRAIN VEHICLE ASPHYXIA JUMPING

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EATH

S

SUICIDE TYPE

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - TYPE

69

91

84

104

111

97

102

118

111109

65

75

85

95

105

115

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

# O

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ICID

E D

EATH

S

YEAR

FRESNO COUNTY SUICIDE TRENDS [2010-2019]

16

Coroner Unit Suicide Death Investigations (2019):

Suicide Deaths (2019) – Gender Distribution:

Suicide Deaths (2019) – Age Distribution:

Youngest Suicide: 15 years

Oldest Suicide: 86 years

Average Suicide Age: 44 years

MALE, 90, 83%

FEMALE, 19, 17%

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - GENDER

9

27

23

9

17

11

8

5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

10-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90

# O

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ICID

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S

AGE RANGE

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - AGE

17

Coroner Unit Suicide Death Investigations (2019):

Suicide Deaths (2019) - Month Distribution:

Suicide Deaths (2019) - Day of Week Distribution:

Suicide Deaths (2019) - Race Distribution:

16

9

3

10

15

10

5

12

8 86 7

0

5

10

15

20

# O

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ICID

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EATH

S

MONTH

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - MONTH

14 1513

20

11

18 17

1

0

5

10

15

20

25

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY UNKNOWN

# O

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ICID

E D

EATH

S

DAY OF WEEK

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - DAY OF WEEK

15 6

53

3

41

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

AFRICANAMERICAN

AMERICAN INDIAN ASIAN CAUCASIAN EAST INDIAN HISPANIC

# O

F SU

ICID

E D

EATH

S

RACE

SUICIDE DEATHS [2019] - RACE

18

Coroner Unit Suicide Death Investigations (2019):

Suicide by Zip Code:

FRESNO COUNTY SUICIDE DEATHS (2019):

FRESNO BIG CREEK MENDOTA

- 93701: 3 - 93605: 1 - 93640: 2

- 93702: 8 CARUTHERS PARLIER

- 93703: 3 - 93609: 1 - 93648: 1

- 93704: 10 CLOVIS REEDLEY

- 93705: 2 - 93611: 9 - 93654: 1

- 93706: 5 - 93612: 5 RIVERDALE

- 93710: 4 - 93619: 6 - 93656: 1

- 93711: 7 DUNLAP SANGER

- 93720: 3 - 93621: 1 - 93657: 3

- 93721: 4 FOWLER SELMA

- 93722: 8 - 93625: 2 - 93662: 2

- 93725: 3 FRIANT TOLLHOUSE

- 93727: 6 - 93626: 1 - 93667: 1

- 93728: 2 KERMAN SQUAW VALLEY

COALINGA - 93630: 1 - 93675: 1

- 93210: 1 MADERA

- 93638: 1

19

Coroner Unit Homicide Death Investigations (2019):

Total Fresno County Homicide Deaths (2019): 80

Homicide Death by Type:

- Gunshot: 65 - Stabbing: 9 - Assault: 6

Fresno County Homicide Death Trends (2010 – 2019):

65

96

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

GUNSHOT STABBING ASSAULT

# O

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EATH

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TYPE

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - TYPE

75

72

95

71 71 71

79

100

65

80

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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YEAR

FRESNO COUNTY HOMICIDE DEATH TRENDS [2010-2019]

20

Coroner Unit Homicide Death Investigations (2019):

Homicide Deaths (2019) – Gender Distribution:

Homicide Deaths (2019) – Age Distribution:

Youngest Homicide: 12 years

Oldest Homicide: 84 years

Average Homicide Age: 35 years

MALE, 69, 86%

FEMALE, 11, 14%

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - GENDER

0

14

27

17

9

6

3 31

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90

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AGE

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - AGE

21

Coroner Unit Homicide Death Investigations (2019):

Homicide Deaths (2019) - Month Distribution:

Homicide Deaths (2019) - Day of Week Distribution:

Homicide Deaths (2019) - Race Distribution:

8

6

9 98

7

5

32

6

10

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

# O

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ICID

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EATH

S

MONTH

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - BY MONTH

5 6 7

118

13

26

4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY UNKNOWN

# O

F H

OM

ICID

E D

EATH

S

DAY OF WEEK

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - DAY OF WEEK

14

713

46

0

10

20

30

40

50

AFRICAN AMERICAN ASIAN CAUCASIAN HISPANIC# O

F H

OM

ICID

E D

EATH

S

RACE

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - RACE

22

Coroner Unit Homicide Death Investigations (2019):

Homicide by Zip Code:

FRESNO COUNTY HOMICIDE DEATHS (2019):

FRESNO COALINGA SQUAW VALLEY

- 93701: 3 - 93210: 2 - 93675: 3

- 93702: 7 CLOVIS PARLIER

- 93703: 9 - 93619: 1 - 93648: 2

- 93705: 8 FOWLER SAN JOAQUIN

- 93706: 7 - 93625: 2 - 93660: 1

- 93710: 1 HURON FIREBAUGH

- 93721: 2 - 93234: 1 - 93622: 1

- 93722: 4 REEDLEY SELMA

- 93723: 1 - 93654: 2 - 93662: 3

- 93725: 3 CANTUA CREEK MENDOTA

- 93726: 6 - 93608: 1 - 93640: 1

- 93727: 8

- 93728: 1

23

Coroner Unit Homicide Death Investigations (2019):

Homicide Deaths (2019) - Investigating Agency Distribution:

Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) Death’s (2019): 4

Investigating Agency for OIS (Shooting):

Fresno County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office: 2

Fresno Police Department: 2

Agency Involved in OIS (Shooting):

Huron Police Department: 1

California Highway Patrol: 1

Fresno Police Department: 2

53

23

13

0

10

20

30

40

50

FRESNO PD FRESNO SHERIFF REEDLEY PD SELMA PD

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INVESTIGATING AGENCY

HOMICIDE DEATHS [2019] - INVESTIGATING AGENCY

24

Coroner Unit In-Custody Death Investigations (2019):

In Custody Deaths (2019): 18

*Does Not Include Officer Involved Shootings (OIS)

In Custody Death Location and Type:

Fresno County Jail: 3

Natural: 1

Overdose: 1

Suicide: 1

Pleasant Valley State Prison (Coalinga): 6

Suicide: 1

Overdose: 4

Homicide: 1

Coalinga State Hospital: 7

Natural: 7

Corcoran Prison: 1

Accident: 1

Following Arrest (Fresno County Sheriff’s Office): 1

Overdose: 1

In Custody Deaths - Gender Distribution:

Male: 18

Female: 0

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