Santa Maria, Calif. – Sheriff’s detectives are sharing additional information about a custody-related death that occurred on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The decedent is identified as 40-year-old Antonio Alvarado Orozco from Santa Maria. The Coroner’s Bureau has determined the cause of Orozco’s death to be complications of blunt force craniocerebral trauma due to a fall from standing height as a result of a seizure. The manner of death is accidental.

In addition to an autopsy, this investigation included interviews of witnesses, a review of Orozco’s available medical history, as well as a review of surveillance video from the Northern Branch Jail. This video showed his seizure and unassisted, undefended fall from two different angles. The Sheriff’s Office learned that Orozco regained consciousness following his emergency surgery and had begun rehabilitation before his condition declined and he ultimately died.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Board of State and Community Corrections, Department of Justice, and the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury to share information about this death.