Man, 23, dies in San Mateo County jail detox unit

A man died after suffering a medical episode while in custody at a San Mateo County jail on Sunday morning, according to authorities.

REDWOOD CITY — A man died while in custody at Maguire Correctional Facility’s detox unit on Sunday morning in Redwood City, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

According to authorities, staff members were conducting routine medical examinations of incarcerated people on 4 East Housing Detox Unit around 8:45 a.m. when a nurse noticed a man having difficulty breathing. Staff and later the Redwood City Fire Department and paramedics provided life-saving measures on the man but he eventually died from the medical episode.

The man was only identified as a 23-year-old white male by authorities as of Monday morning.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Investigations Bureau, the District Attorney’s Office and the Coroner’s Office have all opened investigations into the death, per standard protocol regarding in-custody deaths. The independent investigations will determine the man’s cause of death.

The jail’s detox unit, which authorities say was enhanced last year, frequently houses incarcerated people suffering from withdrawal symptoms related to drug and alcohol abuse. Medical evaluations for these people are made by staff every 15-to-30 minutes, according to the sheriff’s office.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.