SAN DIEGO — People gathered in front of the San Diego Central Jail Saturday following two in-custody deaths so far in 2024.
The family and friends of a man who died more than two years ago while in custody gathered at the jail for a press conference organized by North County Equity and Justice Coalition along with the Saving Lives in Custody Campaign. They demanded change and more safety measures to prevent more jail overdose deaths.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said a 33-year-old was found in distress and died Jan. 5. This past Tuesday, a 24-year-old was found unresponsive during a safety check. He was later pronounced dead.
Sabrina Weddle was at the press conference. Her younger brother, Saxon Rodriguez, died from an overdose at the jail two-and-a-half years ago.
"He got ahold of fentanyl and methamphetamine," she said. "The deputies did not do the hourly checks in time. Five minutes cost him his life, and that came from the medical examiner's board. My brother was a very kind soul."
Weddle said her brother was 22. Her family hopes to see change before another life is lost at the jail.
"I would like to see if somebody passes in the San Diego County Jail it should be because they're 97 years old or pass because of a real medical condition because of all the lives lost have been a preventable death," she said.
The sheriff's homicide unit will be investigating the recent jail deaths. The medical examiner's office will determine the cause and manner of death.
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