The OIR conducted an independent review of the custodial death of Ronald Lucio. We examined the circumstances surrounding the death of Lucio, a 38-year-old man who was in the custody of the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD). Lucio was arrested on April 1, 2021 by officers from the Anaheim Police Department. He was booked into the Intake Release Center (IRC) on April 2, 2021.
On March 18, 2022, Lucio was housed alone in the IRC housing unit for incarcerated persons with mental health and medical issues. Video surveillance last captured Lucio moving in his cell at 4:11 p.m. At approximately 7:11 p.m., a deputy and a licensed vocational nurse arrived at Lucio’s cell to distribute Lucio’s evening medication to him. Despite announcing their presence and knocking, Lucio did not respond. The deputy went inside Lucio’s cell for a wellness check and observed that Lucio was on the lower bunk lying on his right side facing the toilet. Lucio’s feet were snow white, he was not breathing, there was vomited material around his mouth, and he appeared cyanotic. Paramedics responded and declared Lucio deceased at 7:30 p.m.
The OIR looked specifically to see if any OCSD personnel, actions, policies, procedures, training, or tactics may have contributed to Lucio’s death. After a thorough review, the OIR found nothing that contradicts the findings of the independent forensic pathologist that Lucio’s death was an accidental choking. However, the OIR has made several recommendations to the OCSD and Orange County DA's Office related to safety checks, investigations, and administrative changes.
