Susanville – 55-year-old Robert Wayne Simpson died on August 14, 2025 while in custody of the Lassen County Jail.
Incident Summary
Simpson was booked into custody on August 14, 2025 after officers determined he was intoxicated and scheduled his release following sobriety and signing of a citation. As deputies were escorting Simpson through the jail’s vehicle sally port, he had a medical emergency. Medical staff, Susanville Fire Department personnel, and a SEMSA ambulance team administered lifesaving measures that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Unit has launched an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Simpson’s death. In addition, an external law enforcement agency has been enlisted to conduct an independent investigation.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
Deaths in custody are unfortunately not isolated incidents. In 2025, California saw multiple fatalities in local jails tied to medical conditions, substance use, and delayed care.
Under the Fourteenth Amendment, individuals in pretrial or custodial settings have a right to medical care free from deliberate indifference. That legal principle requires that custodial staff provide proper medical screening, timely recognition of distress, and immediate intervention when someone exhibits signs of a medical emergency.
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.
- hiring private investigators who can help track down witnesses and/or obtain further evidence to help your case.
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 incident involving Robert Wayne Simpson, 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.
