in jailRancho Cucamonga, CA — 38-year-old Larry Shidie of Hesperia died while in custody at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on April 4, 2025. Shidie had been in custody since March 18, 2025. 

Incident Details

According to a statement from the sheriff’s department, deputies found Shidie appeared to be ill on March 30. Medical staff evaluated him before Shidie would be transported to the San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland. However, Shidie’s health would continue to decline until he was pronounced dead on April 4. 

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division is conducting an investigation into the death, and an autopsy by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Coroner Division will determine the official cause of death.

In-Custody Deaths and Legal Protections

Under California Government Code § 12525, all law enforcement agencies must report deaths in custody to the California Department of Justice. These reports are used to track trends, identify patterns, and ensure that custodial deaths are not the result of negligence, misconduct, or abuse.

Nationally, in-custody deaths remain a critical concern. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were 1,200 deaths in local jails in 2019 alone, with over 75% occurring pretrial. Many of these deaths involved suicide, drug intoxication, or medical neglect.

Families who lose a loved one in jail may be able to pursue justice under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, a federal statute that provides a remedy for constitutional rights violations—including failures to provide medical care, protect from harm, or respond to mental health needs.

Seeking Accountability for In-Custody Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Larry Shidie.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 so may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.