San Diego, CA — 82-year-old Thomas Richard Heaven has died while in custody of the San Diego Central Jail on April 24, 2025.
Incident Details
On March 17, 2025, Heaven was transported from the San Diego Central Jail to a local hospital after having both low blood pressure and high heart rate. On April 7,2025, Heaven would be transferred to the Hospital Guard Unit at a different local hospital while still in Sheriff’s custody. However, his condition would rapidly deteriorate due to low oxygen levels, and he would be pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m.
Heaven’s family has been notified. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to establish the official cause and manner of death. Additionally, the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) has been notified and will conduct a separate review.
Ongoing Issues with In-Custody Deaths in California
In-custody deaths remain a major concern across California. According to data from the California Department of Justice, over 180 individuals died in custody in 2022, with some cases tied to inadequate medical care, substance withdrawal, or mental health crises.
San Diego County jails have faced particular scrutiny over the years. In 2022, a California State Auditor’s report found that San Diego jails had one of the highest inmate death rates among large counties in the state, prompting calls for systemic reforms, including better mental health care services, more thorough wellness checks, and increased transparency.
Legal Protections for Inmates
Under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, inmates are entitled to basic medical care and protection from harm. When these rights are violated through negligence or deliberate indifference, families may seek justice through civil rights litigation under 42 U.S. Code § 1983.
In many cases, independent investigations can uncover failures such as missed wellness checks, inadequate medical assessments, or understaffed facilities that contribute to preventable deaths behind bars.
Seeking Accountability for In-Custody Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Thomas Richard Heaven
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 may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
