Robert Simpson (Full Name: Robert Wayne Simpson) Died Following Medical Emergency While Being Released From Lassen County Jail
LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (September 24, 2025) – A 55-year-old man identified as Robert Simpson has tragically died as he was being released from the Lassen County Jail.
Lassen County officials are saying that the incident began on August 14. Susanville police officers arrested Robert Simpson on suspicion of disturbing the peace.
Authority said that the man was under the influence of drugs before he was booked into the local town jail. Robert Simpson Was being escorted through the jail’s vehicle sally port when he went into medical distress.
Paramedics were called to the scene to help him. Despite life-saving measures, his condition continued to worsen at the jail. Sadly, Robert Simpson was later pronounced dead.
A full investigation into the Lassen County in-custody death remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Lassen County Inmate Deaths
When police officers restrict the freedom and movement of a person through incarceration, certain constitutional standards will apply. In particular, all inmates have a legal right to receive reasonably adequate medical care for their conditions. This is especially important if jail officials know that an inmate is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are several steps that police officers must take in such a situation.
- Medical Screening: The person in question should undergo a medical screening and tests to identify what substances may be in their system. Jail officials should also work to determine the medical history of the inmate in question.
- Monitoring: Any person who arrives in jail under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be carefully monitored by jail staff and given timely medical attention.
- Medical Care: Inmates will need to be provided medical care necessary for their particular condition. This may include receiving naloxone if they are at risk of an overdose. Jails must also provide medical detoxification when necessary.
- Emergency Response: When an inmate is in medical distress, they must receive prompt emergency care. Failing to give an inmate timely care could easily result in their death.
When jail officials are deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Consider, for example, Frausto v. Department of the California Highway Patrol. A man swallowed what he claimed was a piece of gum in the middle of a traffic stop. Sadly, he later died at the hospital from a methamphetamine overdose. The California Court of Appeal held that officers can be liable for taking a person directly to jail when they are at risk of an overdose or deteriorating from drugs or alcohol.
Steps to Take After a Lassen County In-Custody Death
Many people die from medical emergencies in custody every year. A number of these incidents involve people who have taken drugs or alcohol. According to Vera, “Just as punitive responses to drug use have driven incarceration, substantial evidence suggests that incarceration is associated with increased risk for overdose death. Research has confirmed that overdose is the leading cause of death among people recently released from prisons, as well as the third leading cause of deaths in custody in U.S. jails.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any in-custody death in Lassen County.
- Secure Medical Records: All medical records related to the death should be carefully collected and preserved. This will include medical logs, incident reports, autopsy findings, and more.
- Investigate Potential Negligence: It should be determined if jail staff properly screened an inmate for their medical needs. Staff should look at withdrawal risk, chronic conditions, and the medications the inmate is taking.
- Legal Guidance: The surviving family members of any person who died in police custody should seek the guidance of an experienced civil rights attorney. An attorney can take steps to preserve evidence and determine if a jail could be liable for any death.
Jail officials are typically reluctant to turn over any evidence related to a death in their custody. In many of these cases, they will simply claim that a death was natural. They may also claim that they did everything in their power. But this is often not the case. Many of the deaths stem from a lack of medical care. This is particularly common when a person enters a jail with drugs or alcohol in their system.
Investigating Lassen County In-Custody Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Robert Simpson. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. Did this man receive a proper medical screening? Was he taken to a hospital before being booked in the jail? Does this facility have a history of similar incidents?
Do you need more information about an in-custody death? Our team of civil rights investigators is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for their illegal actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any in-custody death, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
