County Inmate Death

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

At approximately 7 a.m. on March 1, 2018, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Custody Deputies found 60-year-old Henry Acuna of Santa Barbara unresponsive in his single person cell. He was transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where he was admitted. While in the hospital, Mr. Acuna’s health continued to decline and at 3:18 a.m. this morning, March 2, 2018, he was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Next of kin has been notified.

Acuna was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail on May 31, 2017 for attempted robbery and for an outstanding warrant. He was under medical observation at the jail due to chronic medical issues.

The Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation to determine cause and manner of death. As is protocol for an inmate death, the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division is also conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.