On the evening of August 2, 2025, deputies at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility responded to a medical emergency involving an inmate in a housing unit cell. According to officials, custody staff and jail medical personnel provided immediate assistance before paramedics arrived and transported the inmate to a local hospital.
Despite efforts by hospital staff to provide life-saving measures, the inmate’s condition worsened and he was pronounced dead by physicians. The deceased has been identified as Christopher Martinez, 31, of Norwalk.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Central Investigations unit is leading the investigation into the incident. “The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Art Rodriguez at (951) 922–7152,” according to authorities.
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