Inmate dies in custody at Martinez Detention Facility

An inmate at the Martinez Detention Facility was found unresponsive in his cell late Sunday night and ultimately died, according to Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputies.

Clayton resident Benito Carrasco, 35, was found around 11:20 p.m. A nurse was escorted to his cell and additional medical staff tried to help him until firefighters arrived at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Carrasco was booked into the jail Thursday on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and several related offenses. He was being held on $40,000 bail.

The sheriff’s office and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are investigating Carrasco’s death, per the county’s in-custody death protocol.