Golden State Today

Sheriff's detectives in Santa Maria, California, have released further details regarding a custody-related death that occurred on September 17, 2024. The deceased has been identified as Antonio Alvarado Orozco, aged 40, from Santa Maria. According to the Coroner’s Bureau, Orozco died due to complications of blunt force craniocerebral trauma resulting from a fall during a seizure. The manner of death has been classified as accidental.

The investigation into Orozco's death included several components: an autopsy, witness interviews, examination of his medical history, and review of surveillance footage from the Northern Branch Jail. The video evidence captured Orozco experiencing a seizure and falling without assistance or intervention from two different camera angles. After undergoing emergency surgery and beginning rehabilitation, Orozco initially regained consciousness but later experienced a decline in his condition leading to his death.

The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the Board of State and Community Corrections, Department of Justice, and the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury to disseminate information related to this incident.