Sheriff’s Office: 21-year-old died of water intoxication at Santa Cruz County Jail

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 6/18/2020 1 p.m. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office says a man who died in custody back in May died of acute water intoxication.

The Sheriff's Office said 21-year-old Tamario Smith died suddenly on May 10 at the Santa Cruz County Jail, and a pathologist determined that he died by drinking too much water in a short period of time.

The Sheriff's Office said the water consumption was influenced by underlying mental health conditions, and it led to an electrolyte imbalance and organ failure.

Smith's autopsy showed no evidence of trauma, foul play, COVID-19 or evidence of poisonous substances, according to the Sheriff's Office. It is considered an accident.

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The Sheriff's Office said correctional officers found 21-year-old Tamario Smith unresponsive in his cell at around 6 p.m. They began performing life-saving measures and called paramedics, but Smith died at the jail.

Smith was arrested in January for domestic violence-related charges.

The Sheriff's Office said Smith did not share a cell with anyone. They said they do not suspect foul play and there are no signs of trauma or visible injuries. He also did not show COVID-19 symptoms.

An autopsy and toxicology test are being conducted to find out how he died.