San Diego Jail Inmate Died Of Natural Causes: Autopsy

SAN DIEGO, CA — Postmortem examinations have determined that an octogenarian crime suspect who died last summer at San Diego Central Jail succumbed to natural causes, authorities reported Friday.

Deputies distributing medication to inmates at the Front Street detention center found Karim Talib, 82, unconscious and unresponsive in his cell on the morning of July 28, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Jailers performed CPR on Talib prior to the arrival of paramedics, who took over the lifesaving attempts before pronouncing him dead at the scene, sheriff's Lt. Juan Marquez said.

The Medical Examiner's Office has ruled that Talib died of hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by an acute kidney infection.

Talib had been in custody for about two months, facing charges of mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse, and was awaiting a mental-competency hearing.

"The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends our sympathies to the Talib family and all those affected by Mr. Talib's passing," Marquez said. "A sheriff's family-liaison officer will continue to support the family as they navigate through this difficult time."

— City News Service