Family Seeks Answers in Death of Man After Mental Health Crisis in Jail

Relatives of Daniel Magaña, a 40-year-old man who died following an incident in a Los Angeles jail, are demanding answers regarding his death. They question whether signs of his mental health crisis were overlooked by authorities. Magaña was arrested on August 21 by the LAPD for allegedly evading police and was booked into the Twin Towers Correctional Facility the same day. He passed away on September 5 at a hospital, around ten days after being found unresponsive in his jail cell, according to his family.

Magaña’s family filed a wrongful death claim on September 21. They stated that authorities were aware of his lifelong mental health struggles and had been informed of his suicidal ideations during his booking. The claim asserts that a day after his arrival at the jail, he experienced a medical emergency that necessitated hospitalization at the Los Angeles General Medical Center. Upon his return to jail, the family claims he was not placed in appropriate mental health housing, nor did he receive the necessary psychiatric care.

The Sheriff’s Department typically houses mentally ill inmates at Twin Towers. However, Magaña’s relatives argue he wasn’t transferred to a specialized unit suited for complex cases. On August 25, Magaña was found unresponsive again after another severe health crisis. Attempts to revive him failed, and he was later declared dead on September 5 at the hospital.

The family reports a lack of clear communication from the Sheriff’s Department, which lists Magaña’s death as pending further inquiry on their website. In response to an inquiry, the department emphasized the complexity of in-custody deaths and stressed the importance of considering a detainee’s medical history and the circumstances surrounding their incarceration.

Magaña’s sister, Alejandra, described him as a sociable and kindhearted person. She shared childhood memories highlighting his early interest in cars, a passion fostered by their father. Diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorders as a teenager, Magaña had managed his conditions with medication, though mental health was not openly discussed in their traditional Mexican family.

Before his arrest, Magaña exhibited signs of psychosis, expressing suicidal thoughts during preparations for their mother’s birthday. Alejandra described how the family sought emergency psychiatric help, using a county hotline. Law enforcement arrested Magaña later that day for evasion before transferring him to the Twin Towers.

After Magaña missed a court appearance on August 24, the family tried unsuccessfully to gather information about his well-being. Eventually, they discovered his hospitalization in a critical state. Conflicting hospital reports further confused the situation, suggesting injuries from either a fall or asphyxiation.

Jail deputies are mandated to perform regular welfare checks; however, a mid-August report from L.A. County’s Office of Inspector General highlighted inconsistencies in this practice. Alejandra struggles with both the grief of losing her brother and the lack of clarity surrounding his death.

Magaña leaves behind five children, aged between 11 and 22, who are coping with their loss. His eldest son, Noah, expressed the need to face the tragedy to honor his father’s life, while 13-year-old Alejandro reminisced about his father’s cherished Monte Carlo car.

Sheriff Robert Luna acknowledged ongoing efforts to reduce in-custody deaths, citing challenges related to an aging inmate population with prevalent medical and mental health issues. In March, Luna requested a review of jail conditions by the National Institute of Corrections, following a period during which 10 inmates died within three months. Following a lawsuit by California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta over unsafe jail conditions, changes like the introduction of body cameras in jails have been initiated.