Riverside County, CA- 46-year-old Ray Gonzalez of Jurupa Valley died in custody of the Robert Presley Detention Center during a routine welfare check on August 22, 2025.
Incident Overview
At 6:54 p.m., deputies found Gonzalez unresponsive in his housing unit. Although jail medical staff and paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, Gonzalez would be pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office Corrections Central Investigations Bureau and the Coroner’s Bureau are leading the investigation into this incident.
Legal Standards and Custodial Responsibility
Custodial care—even for pre-trial detainees—falls under the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment. This means that jail staff must:
- Conduct regular and effective health and welfare checks
- Respond promptly to signs of medical distress
- Provide necessary and timely medical attention
Failure to meet these responsibilities can be considered deliberate indifference to serious medical needs, a violation actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Systemic Concerns About In-Custody Deaths
In-custody fatalities—typically related to health crises, mental health, substance withdrawal, or delayed response—continue to raise serious concerns. Families and watchdog groups point to how quickly these incidents unfold and often call for preventive reforms, including better training, healthcare protocols, and independent oversight.
Seeking Accountability For In-Custody Deaths
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 such as this one involving Ray Gonzalez, 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.
