Orange – 60-year-old David Alcazar died while in custody of the Theo Lacy Facility on August 12, 2025. He had been in custody since August 9, 2025.
Incident Timeline
On August 12, 2025, facility staff found Alcazar suffering from injuries on the first floor of a barracks after an apparent suicide attempt. Deputies and medical staff attempted life-saving measures, and Alcazar would be taken to a local hospital, where he would be pronounced deceased.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is investigating this incident, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will perform an in-custody death review. Both an independent autopsy and toxicology will help determine Alcazar’s cause of death.
Legal Standards for In-Custody Medical Oversight
Orange County has recorded several in-custody deaths this year – a disturbing trend picked up on by justice advocates. California law requires detainees—even those not yet convicted—to receive appropriate medical care under the Fourteenth Amendment. Custody staff must act without deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. If the facility delayed or failed to recognize a medical emergency, it could form the basis for a civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Seeking Accountability for In-Custody Deaths
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 such as this one involving David Alcazar, 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.
