Oakland— 27-year-old Enrique Gonsalez-Cruz died on December 17, 2025 in custody of the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse. He had been in custody of the Santa Rita Jail since December 12, 2025.An image of a locked jail cell

Incident Details

Sources say Gonsalez-Cruz was being kept in a holding cell at the courthouse, where he was found unresponsive with a ligature around his neck. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced deceased at 2:30 p.m.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has been notified of this incident and will conduct an investigation.

Legal Oversight and Standards 

Under California law, agencies must report deaths in custody under California Government Code § 12525.

Investigators will examine factors such as:

  • Whether proper monitoring and safety-check procedures were followed 
  • The timeliness and quality of medical response 
  • Whether environmental or health factors contributed to the death 
  • Compliance with established policies for detention facilities 

If investigators find that inadequate medical care, negligence, or constitutional violations contributed to the death, families may consider civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Seeking Accountability for In Custody Deaths

If you witnessed this incident, knew the deceased, or are seeking to understand your rights, you may wish to:

1. Request Public Records

You can request facility-monitoring logs, cell-check records, emergency response documentation, any surveillance or body-worn camera footage (if applicable), and the coroner’s findings.

2. Preserve Any Evidence You Have

Document your vantage point, the time and location of what you observed, and any photos or videos you recorded. Note what you heard or saw before, during or after the incident.

3. Speak With a Civil Rights Attorney

If you believe the detention facility failed to follow required procedures, delayed medical care, or otherwise overlooked established protections, you may have legal options.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by an in-custody death such as this one involving Enrique Gonsalez-Cruz, 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.