Crime & Safety
Inmate Hangs Self In Martinez Jail Women's Holding Area
Authorities say the inmate was booked Friday night and was found dead Saturday morning.
MARTINEZ, CA — An inmate who died at the Martinez jail on Saturday has been identified as 36-year old Maria Barraza of El Cerrito. Barraza had been arrested by El Cerrito police on suspicion of
domestic violence and was booked Friday at about 10:40 p.m., according to sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee.
Authorities said Barraza apparently hanged herself inside a bathroom in the women's holding area at the jail and was found at 3:31 a.m.
Medical staff at the jail immediately began life-saving measures and a fire department and an ambulance also responded, but Barraza was pronounced dead at the scene, Lee said.
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The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office and the sheriff's office are investigating the death.
— Bay City News Service
