pexels-ron-lach-10475008Investigation Underway After Christian Owens, 33, Died In Custody At Men’s Central Jail In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (October 27, 2024) – A 33-year-old man identified as Christian Owens has tragically died in custody while staying at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is saying that the incident took place on October 24, 2024. Very few details leading up to the event have been released at this time.

The incident occurred in the living area of the jail. There is currently an autopsy to determine what may have caused the death of Christian Owens.

This incident marks the fifth in custody death of an inmate at the Men’s Central Jail in 2024. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.


Legal Considerations For Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

The Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles County has a long and sordid history. Many inmates have died there over the years. Numerous activist groups have pushed for the jail to be closed. The facility was initially supposed to close in the spring of 2023, but it still remains open. A number of lawsuits have been filed against jails in Los Angeles County.

  • Groups have stated that the jails are flooded with dangerous drugs like fentanyl.
  • Inmates have said that they’ve been subjected to sexual abuse and excessive force.
  • Inmates have said that they have not received proper care for their medical conditions.

All jails have a legal obligation to protect all of the inmates in their care from foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from medical conditions, overdoses, and violence at the hands of other inmates. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are several ways that a jail may have failed to properly care for an inmate.

  • Jails may have failed to take an inmate to the hospital in a timely manner.
  • Jails may have failed to give an inmate the medication that they needed.
  • Jails may fail to protect an inmate going through an overdose.

Many inmate deaths are completely preventable. Jails are often quick to claim that any inmate death was “natural.” But the fact of the matter is that many inmate deaths listed as natural involve some amount of medical neglect. The family of any inmate that died in custody may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know if a jail is at fault for a death in their custody.

Investigating Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Christian Owens. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. The number of deaths at Men’s Central Jail is deeply concerning. This jail was supposed to close over a year ago. There needs to be some accountability for the fact that it is still open and inmates are still dying there.

Do you need more information about an inmate death in Los Angeles County? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are held accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

 

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