Concord Man Suspected In Murder Of Parents Dead At Martinez Jail

CONCORD, CA — A Concord man suspected of killing his parents on New Year’s Eve has died in jail just over a week after his arrest.

Kirk Richardson, 61, was found unconscious in his cell at the Martinez Detention Facility on Thursday, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

Richardson was taken to a hospital to treat wounds to his head at about 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. Authorities said the wounds appeared to have been self-inflicted after Richardson intentionally struck his head while housed alone in a cell.

Medics released him to the sheriff's department at 8:30 a.m. He was “uncooperative” with deputy sheriffs while being transported back to the Martinez jail, according to the sheriff's office.
He was given medication by medical staff back at the jail, the sheriff's office said in a statement on social media.

A deputy sheriff found Richardson unconscious inside his cell at 5:48 p.m., he sheriff's office said.

Jail medical staff, deputies, fire department personnel, and an ambulance responded, with deputies performing CPR, according to the sheriff's office.

The jail's medical staff, fire department, and paramedics were called to his cell, and deputies performed CPR. The statement did not include the time they were called or when they arrived.

The sheriff’s office and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office will investigate his death and invoked a fatal incident protocol, officials said.

RELATED:

Concord Son Arrested In New Year’s Eve Slaying Of Parents: Report

Two Dead After Early-Morning Shooting In Concord