By Kim Minugh and Cathy Locke
kminugh@sacbee.com
A 51-year-old man died this morning while awaiting release from the Sacramento County Main Jail.
His cause of death is not yet known, although sheriff's officials said it appears he died of natural causes.
Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jason Ramos said the man was booked into the Main Jail about 11 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of public intoxication.
Sunday evening, he had been processed and was in a holding cell with other inmates awaiting release when he became unresponsive shortly before midnight, Ramos said.
Deputies and jail medical staff performed CPR on the man, Ramos said. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 12:40 a.m.
Sheriff's officials said the department will complete an inmate death investigation in accordance with department procedures and state laws. The Sacramento County Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death and forward its findings as required by law.
However, early indications are that the man died of natural causes, Ramos said.
The coroner's office has not released the man's name, pending notification of his family.
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