San Diego Jail Inmate Dies Of Unknown Causes

SAN DIEGO, CA — Authorities Wednesday publicly identified the jail inmate who was stricken by an unidentified medical emergency at San Diego Central Jail last weekend and died a short time later.

A deputy and a nurse realized that 54-year-old Liutoa Vili needed medical care as they were handing out medication in a housing area at the Front Street detention facility about 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

While being taken to medical staffers for an evaluation, Vili became unresponsive, Lt. Joseph Jarjura said. Paramedics then took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The county Medical Examiner's Office will determine the man's cause of death.

"A sheriff's family-liaison officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of (their) loved one," Jarjura said.

Vili was jailed in June on felony warrants stemming from an earlier vandalism arrest. He was believed to be homeless when he was taken into custody, Jarjura said.

— City News Service