Bay Area Coroner Identifies Inmate’s Cause Of Death: Police

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that the coroner determined the death of an inmate who died while in custody was due to the toxic effects of three medications, police said.

Kyle Harrison, 25, was found dead on March 15 at the Maple Street Correctional Facility, police said. At around 4:50 p.m. sheriff officers were notified a person was found unresponsive in a housing unit at the facility. Despite lifesaving efforts of officers and medical staff, Harrison died at the jail, police said.

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and SMC detectives all began conducting independent investigations into the death.

The coroner’s office notified the sheriff’s office recently that Harrison died due to the “toxic effects of Methadone, Amitriptyline and Gabapentin” and reported the death as an “accident,” police said.

The sheriff’s office is still awaiting the district attorney’s findings, police said.

Methadone, a long-acting full opioid agonist, aids in treatment for reducing or stopping opiate use. Amitriptyline is an anti-depressant, and gabapentin is primarily used to treat seizures and nerve pain.