A Westminster murder suspect who was an O.C. inmate died after taking ill

ORANGE, Ca. – On Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, an inmate housed in the Correctional Medical Services wing of a local hospital died.

The 72-year-old inmate was booked into jail on Mar. 9, 2019, by the Westminster Police Department for CPC 664/187 – Attempted murder, CPC 451(a) – Arson causing great bodily injury, CPC 451(b) – Arson to inhabited structure/dwelling, and CPC 451(a)(1) – Aggravated arson with a prior. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Division.

You can review the City of Westminster’s Arrest Log here.

On Sept. 9, 2022, it was determined the inmate needed to be transported to the hospital for further medical treatment where he remained hospitalized until Feb. 9. On Feb. 9, at approximately 9:17 a.m., he was pronounced deceased. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances. A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

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Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions.

When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.