An inmate of the Santa Barbara County Jail died in the hospital Sunday of injuries suffered in an apparent suicide attempt, authorities said Monday. Joseph Frederick Rose, 47, was pronounced dead by hospital staff at about 1 p.m., said Kelly Hoover, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Rose attempted suicide at about 2:10 p.m. June 25 in the Main Jail, Ms. Hoover said.
A custody deputy called for help when he discovered Mr. Rose “in need of medical assistance after an apparent suicide attempt,” Ms. Hoover said. Deputies and jail medical staff began life-saving measures before Mr. Rose was transported by American Medical Response ambulance. Mr. Rose had been booked April 10, 2018 on charges of felony burglary, battery and a probation violation, Ms. Hoover said.
The sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau is conducting an investigation into his death to determine an official cause and manner ofdeath. Officials did not disclose the nature of his injuries. “A final determination is pending toxicology and lab results,” Ms. Hoover said. This is the third inmate death this year but the first apparent suicide, Ms. Hoover said. Jose Curiel, 52, died in January of complications from a medical condition and Eduardo Rodriguez, 62, died of natural causes in April. Last year two inmates died in sheriff’s custody, one from natural causes and one from suicide.
