Santa Maria, CA – Caprice Fowler, 57, of Lompoc, has died while in custody at the Northern Branch Jail of Santa Barbara County Main Jail. The incident occurred on March 24, 2025. Cause of Death: Acute peritonitis due to a ruptured gastric ulcer.
Details of the Incident
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, a custody deputy discovered Fowler unresponsive in her cell while conducting a check. Despite life-saving efforts by jail medical staff and custody deputies, Fowler was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fowler had only been at the facility for less than a week. She shared a cell with two other inmates, though only one other person was in the cell when the inmate was found.
Officials have not disclosed whether there were any signs of foul play.
In-Custody Deaths and Legal Concerns
Under California law, jails have a legal duty to provide adequate medical care and ensure the safety of those in custody. Additionally, under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, families of individuals who die in custody due to negligence or misconduct may have grounds to file a civil rights lawsuit.
A 2022 report from the California Department of Justice found that in-custody deaths in county jails have been rising, with over 1,500 reported deaths statewide since 2010. Many of these cases involve inadequate medical attention, drug overdoses, and suicides, highlighting systemic issues within the correctional system.
Seeking Accountability for In Custody Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Caprice Fowler.
How can our firm assist with an investigation? Should you decide to consult with our firm, our investigation typically includes some or all the following investigative activities
- obtaining and reviewing medical records, autopsy reports and blood toxicology screening reports
- requesting a Public Records Request Act for documents and evidence for locating and interviewing critical witnesses to an incident
- subpoenaing third party entities if our firm is retained and a lawsuit is initiated
- securing surveillance video evidence, and at minimum, placing the jail entity on notice to preserve potential video and tangible evidence of an incident.
- identifying and contacting potential witnesses, if available.
What should I know if I want to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Contact our experienced Civil Rights lawyers so we can analyze all your options and hear the specifics of your case. We will also assess your loved one’s history with the jail facility they were treated at. Having as much documentation and physical evidence as possible will help prove your wrongful death case so our attorneys can examine them and help bring you and your loved one justice.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
