The following information is fragmentary and has not been completely verified. It is based, in part, on hearsay and is intended for early information use rather than being a formal investigative report.
Update to previous release:
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed their autopsy investigation related to the death of forty-five-year-old Derek Oak King. King had been at the hospital receiving treatment for a serious medical condition since January 25, 2019, while in the custody of the Sheriff’s Department. The Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the cause of death to be metastatic colon carcinoma, and the manner of death to be natural.
Information from previous release:
The Vista Detention Facility had a 45-year-old man being treated at a local area hospital for a preexisting serious medical condition. The man had been in custody since November 9, 2017, for several different charges, including attempted murder, torture, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats. The man had been on life support at the hospital, but unfortunately passed away this afternoon at approximately 12:04 hours. The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded to investigate the death.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death and notify the victim’s family. The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responds to investigate all in-custody deaths. Our response is not an indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 258-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-84
