Novato PD Investigating Inmate Death at County Jail

Novato police are investigating the death of a 29-year-old inmate at the Marin County Jail on Friday. But according to Lt. Jennifer Welch, investigators are not yet releasing the man's name or other information about his death.

Deputies found the male inmate unresponsive in his cell around 4:25 p.m. Friday, Marin County sheriff's Lt. Craig Scardina said.

Sheriff's personnel and San Rafael Fire Department paramedics performed CPR but could not revive the inmate, and he was pronounced dead at 4:58 p.m., Scardina said.

According to the sheriff's department it is standard protocol for outside agencies to investigate a death at the county jail.

Novato police and the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office are investigating the death, Scardina said.

The Sonoma County Coroner's office confirmed that it will be handling the autopsy while Novato police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"Our investigations division is conducting a thorough investigation and will release information upon its completion," Welch said in an email.

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