Sheriff Bill Brown | Official website of Santa Barbara County
Sheriff Bill Brown | Official website of Santa Barbara County
An individual in custody at the Northern Branch Jail has died after being found unresponsive in her cell. The deceased was an adult female who had been arrested by Sheriff's Deputies on March 19, 2025, for a no-bail felony arrest warrant related to firearm and ammunition possession as a prohibited person. She appeared in court on March 21, 2025, where she was remanded without bail for an additional charge of animal cruelty.
On March 24, 2025, at approximately 5:36 p.m., a custody deputy discovered the woman down in her cell during routine checks. The cell housed three individuals at the time; one was present during the incident while another was being escorted back to the cell. Custody deputies and jail medical staff immediately began life-saving measures. County Fire and AMR responded but were unable to resuscitate her.
The Sheriff's Office detectives are conducting several investigations into this death, including a Coroner investigation. Further details will be released following family notification and the completion of the investigation.
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