Investigation Underway After Angelina Munguia, 41, Died While in the Custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (November 11, 2025) – A 41-year-old woman identified as Angelina Munguia has tragically died after being hospitalized while in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities are saying that the incident took place on July 4, 2025. Angelina Munguia was in custody when she experienced some type of medical emergency.
She was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, her condition continued to deteriorate at the hospital.
Tragically, Angelina Munguia was later pronounced dead. A full investigation into the death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths
Many inmates in Los Angeles County die in custody every year before they ever have a chance to fight the charges against them. According to Vera, “Two more people died this week in the custody of Los Angeles County jails, bringing this year’s death toll to 40. In the last 20 years, only 2021—the deadliest year on record—had more deaths-to-date than this year so far. Since the start of 2023, a staggering 117 people have died in LA jails.” There are many factors that could contribute to any inmate death.
- Medical Care: An inmate may not have received the medical care that they needed in the event of an emergency.
- Overdoses: Jails in Los Angeles County are overrun with illicit drugs and dangerous substances that put inmates at risk. It is relatively common for jail officials to not respond properly if an inmate was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Monitoring: Jail staff may fail to properly monitor an inmate over the course of their stay.
- Fights: A jail may have failed to take sufficient action to protect inmates from violence at the hands of other inmates.
When law enforcement restricts the freedom of a California resident through incarceration, certain constitutional standards will apply. They must provide the person being held with adequate medical support for all of their needs. This includes medical support for a person going through an overdose or some other immediate health condition. The family of any person who died in police custody may be able to hold law enforcement accountable through a constitutional claim.
Steps to Take After Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths
Inmate deaths are often highly complex events. There could be several liable parties for any instance where an inmate dies in custody. This includes the agency responsible for providing an inmate healthcare. It is important that certain steps are taken after any inmate dies in Los Angeles County.
- Jail Records: All of the jail records related to the death should be collected and reviewed. It should be determined what care an inmate received prior to dying or being hospitalized.
- Medical Records: The medical records related to the death should be reviewed as well. This will include any autopsy reports that were created.
- Body Cameras: Body camera footage from all officers involved can also be helpful in determining what went wrong. This should be requested through subpoena if necessary.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who dies in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department should seek an independent review by a team with experience in civil rights law.
Jails are often quick to label inmate deaths as “natural.” But this label can often be highly misleading. Many deaths labeled as natural in Los Angeles actually involve some amount of medical neglect. For example, jail officials may have delayed getting an inmate emergency care, even when there were obvious signs that they were in serious distress.
Investigating Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Angelina Munguia. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. The sheer number of inmate deaths across Los Angeles County jails in recent months is deeply concerning. It is our sincere hope that greater oversight of these institutions will prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County inmate death? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to answer any questions you may have. We are well-versed in constitutional law and are committed to holding law enforcement accountable for their negligence and illegal conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
