Crime & Safety
Inmate Dies In Indio Jail Cell
The man was identified as Steven Crawford, 70, who according to inmate records, was being held on suspicion of spousal abuse.
INDIO, CA — Authorities are investigating the in-custody death of a 70-year-old man who was being held at the John J. Benoit Detention Center, it was announced Tuesday.
Deputies from the jail facility responded at 12:36 a.m. Monday to a report of an unresponsive male in a housing unit cell, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department reporting deputy Ken Thurm.
"Custody staff and jail medical personnel immediately administered life-saving measures. Paramedics responded and assumed life-saving measures," Thurm wrote in a statement. "However, he was ultimately pronounced deceased."
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The man was identified as Steven Crawford of Cathedral City, who according to inmate records, was booked into jail Aug. 12 on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse.
No signs of foul play were found, according to Thurm. Corrections Central Investigations Bureau personnel were investigating the in-custody death.
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Anyone with information regarding Crawford's death was asked to call Investigator John Layos at 951-922-7152.
