::-,---c------~-l""UCIH-l~I-Cl-~'"""+lrY-·-Sherlff.s'--'O-ff.....ic. . .e - - - - - - - - - - - - Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct, Oakland, CA 94605 (510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax) Coroner Investigator's Report NAME OF DECEASED (LAST, FIRST MIDDLE) 0 TENTATIVE ID ~ REPORTED BY ...I ...I R. Lacer #1669 ~ Matthew Meldrum .... 64 . 164 CALL DATE AND TIME CASE TYPE AGE GENDER Male 3/20/1972 44 Years HAIR COLOR OCCUPATION Brown Black Unknown 10:19 I RACE I Asian Indian MARITAL STATUS Widow EMPLOYER Preliminary Summary· I• VET? . LOCATION OF DEATH LODTYPE Santa Rita Jail Other COUNTY 5325 Broder Boulevard Dublin CA 94568 < w Alameda I Manner Suicide Cause A Aseh;t:xiation Interval Minutes Cause B Hanl:lins Interval Minutes Death Certificate Signed By: R. Plasencia, Deputy Sheriff Cause C Interval Cause D Interval Other Significant Conditions z 16-012433 I ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP) C 2016-02106 REFERENCE NUMBER --·----- C :c • Removal Case 10:40 DATE OF BIRTH EYE COLOR I I 7/15/2016 z w C w 0 w REPORTING AGENCY . 7/15/2016 DATE AND TIME OF DEATH WGT REPORTED BY PHONE NO. CASE NUMBER Santa Rita INVESTIGATOR HGT UNIDENTIFIED • SINGH, Billvir LL None LEGAL NEXT OF KIN RELATIONSHIP TELEPHONE NO. NOTIFIED BY METHOD DATE AND TIME Phone Contact 7/16/2016 0 ~ u:: i= 0 z .... z w C 0 ~ IDENTIFICATION METHOD DATE AND TIME Finger Prints 7/19/2016 7:36 LOCATION OF INCIDENT . AT WORK Santa Rita Jail ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP) COUNTY · 5325 Broder Blvd Dublin CA 94568 I_NVESTIGATING AGENCY "'C 7/15/2016 9:40 INV AGENCY PHONE NUMBER OFFICER Joshua Armijo FUNERAL HOME BODY RELEASED TO FUNERAL HOME ON Chapel of The Chimes - Hayward 7/29/2016 Full Autopsy Partial Autopsy Inspection Record Review Inspection w/Speclmen Y1 13:50 EXAM BY Thomas W. Rogers D;ite Printed • DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT Alameda Alameda County Sheriffs Office-ETS a. 0:00 Wednesday, September 07, 201 Alameda County Sheriffs Office Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland, CA 94605 (510) 382-3000 / (510) 382-3033 (fax) Investigator Narrative Decedent: Case Number: Investigator: SINGH, Balvir 2016-02106 Matthew Meldrum First Call Information: On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1040 hours, I (Meldrum) spoke to Alameda County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant R. Lacer #1669 who called to report the in-custody suicide death of a 44 year old male identified as Balvir Singh. Lieutenant Lacer told me, about 0940 hours, during the Santa Rita Jail Housing Unit #9 "Pod Time," an inmate advised the Housing Unit Deputies that Singh was inside his cell (B-9) and needed assistance. A deputy responded to the ceHand saw Singh unresponsive with a jail issued sheet tied around his neck. Th~ opposite end of the sheet was tied and suspended around the top of the jail cell's permanent stool. The responding deputy radioed for immediate medical assistance and attempted CPR until medical staff arrived, but ultimately all life saving !lleasures failed, and death was pronounced at 1019 hours by Corizon Dr Molitorisz. At the time of this incident, Singh was not on an Intensive Observation Log (IOL) and was the only occupant of his cell. Singh was classified as a Mental Health Inmate with prior safety cell placements. (Coroner's Case #2014-01574). (MMM1859) Medical Summary: While at Santa Rita Jail, I (Meldnim) received a copy of Singh' s medical records. I placed the recordsinto the pathologist packet for review. (MMMl 859) Description of the Death/ Injury Scene: Singh was pronounced dead, just outside of Cell B-9, Housing Unit 9, at the Santa Rita Jail, located at 5325 Broder Boulevard, in the City of Dublin. Singh was found suspended with a sheet tied around his neck inside his jail cell (B-9). (MMM1859) Body Identification: While on scene, I (Meldrum) received a copy of Singh's Criminal Records Information Management System (CRIMS) record which included a booking photograph froin 2014. I compared the photograph to the decedent and they appeared to match. (MMM1859) On July 19, 2016, I (Gogna) received a letter from the Alameda County Central Identification Bureau (CIB) confirming that the fingerprints taken from the decedent was associated with Person File Number: with the name Balvir Singh. (AG#1303) Next of Kin Investigation: On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1451 hours, I (Meldrum) spoke to Singh 's brother-in-law, told me Singh was not married and did not have who called to provide me next of kin information. provided children. said Singh's father, and mother, lived in me contact information for Singh's parents, but said he would notify them of the death, due to the fact Alameda County Sheriffs Office Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner. Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland, CA 94_605 (510) 382-3000 / (510) 382-3033 (fax) they did not speak English. I explained the coroner's involvement and told that Singh's parents were the legal next of kin and would be in charge of authorizing funeral arrangements. told me he would contact me after Singh's parents were notified of the death. (MMM1859) On July 16, 2016, I (Bordi) received a call from who identified himself as Singh's friend. said he was calling from and heard Singh was deceased. said he did not know Singh's family but was from the same village. said he would try and notify one of Singh's cousins. (EB1879) On Saturday, July 16, 2016, about 1630 hours, i (Meldrum) spoke to who told me he was told me Singh's father passed away a few years ago and his mother was a friend of S_ingh's. elderly. said Singh's mother, was notified of the death, but wished to authorize someone in the United States to start funeral arrangements. I explained the procedure and told to have Singh's mother email the Coroner's Bureau stating who she wished to authorize and to attach a photograph of her passport. (MMM1859) On Friday, July 22, 2016, about 1615 hours, I (Meldrum) spoke to Singh's friend, who advised that Singh's mother had signed a form authorizing told me she spoke to Singh's mother. her to make funeral arrangements. I provided my email and the Coroner's Bureau fax number to send a copy of the form. (MMM1859) On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, about 0730 hours, I (Meldrum) received an email from which included a document signed by Singh's mother, authorizing and to make funeral arrangements. The document also included a photo copy of identification card. I placed the documents into the case file. (MMMl 859) Other Agency Reports: Alameda County Sheriff's Officer Deputy B. Sill #1781 wrote report #16-012433. (MMM1859) On September 07, 2016, about 0550 hours, I (Meldrum) received a copy of the report. I reviewed the report and discovered the following information: Singh was found unresponsive by an inmate at the end of"pod time." The Housing Unit Technician had opened all the cell doors so inmates could enter their cells. An inmate was checking the cell doors on the upper tier to insure they were all locked. The inmate then noticed Singh' s cell door was unlocked and saw Singh unresponsive on the floor. The inmate then pressed an emergency button and told the I-lousing Unit Technician what he saw. (MMM1859) Property and Evidence: I (Meldrum) issued coroner's receipt #37151 to Deputy Sill for Singh's body and property. (MMM1859) Coroners Fees: There were coroner's fees for body removal, body preparation, and the fiBing of the death certificate totaling $540 associated with this case. (MMMl 859) · On August 31, 2016, the fees were paid in full. (MMMl 859) Alameda County Sherifrs Office Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland, CA 94605 (510) 382-3000 / (510) 382-3033 (fax) Investigative Details: . On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1140 hours, Deputy E. Bordi #1879 and I (Meldrum) arrived at Santa Rita Jail. We met with Deputy Sill inside Housing Unit #9 who told me the following: Singh was classified as a Mental Health Inmate with prior and . About 0630 hours, Singh's cell mate, · (PFN: was removed from Cell B-9 by Security Movement Deputies for his scheduled release. About 0830 hours, Housing Unit #9 started "Pod Time," but Singh did not exit his cell. All cell· doors inside the Housing Unit were locked and secured before "Pod Time" began. About 0909 hours, Housing Unit #9 Deputy Bump conducted a general observation of the Housing Unit and signed the General Observation Log (GOL). About 0920 hours, an inmate witness said he saw Singh standing at his cell door looking through the window. At that time, Singh's _cell door was locked and he was the only inmate inside the cell. About 0940 hours, an inmate told one of the Housing Unit Deputies that Singh was inside his cell (B-9) and needed assistance. The deputy responded to the cell and saw Singh unresponsive with a jail issued sheet tied around his neck. The opposite end of the sheet was tied and suspended around the cell's stool. The deputy said Singh was in a semi-supine position and It appeared as ifthere was pressure applied to his neck due to his positioning. The deputy cut the sheet from Singh' s neck and radioed for medical assistance. The deputy then started cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) until Corizon medical staff responded and took over. Corizon Dr S. Molitorisz responded and pronounced death, at 1019 hours, after all life saving measures were unsuccessful. When I arrived, I saw Singh lying supine on the upper-tier of B-Pod, just outside of Cell #9, with medical therapy in place. Rigor mortis was absent and lividity was consistent with his positioning. I saw about a one centimeter laceration on Singh's nose and a golf ball sized contusion on his forehead. I saw no other obvious signs of visible trauma on Singh's body. I looked inside Singh's cell and saw a blue jail issued sheet on the floor near a stool. The sheet appeared to be knotted into a loop on one end and the opposite end appeared as if it was wound tight multiple times and was cut with sharp object. Due to the sheet's configuration, its length was about a foot long. a I searched Singh' s cell for a suicide note or letter of intent. I found a hand written note on top of Singh' s bed, inside of a book, but it was written in Punjabi. I collected the note as evidence in hopes to have it translated. Deputy Bordi took digital photographs of Singh, the scene, and the handwritten note. Deputy Bordi. and I then prepared Singh for transportation back to the Coroner's Bureau. (MMM 1859) On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1351 hours, Deputy Bordi and I returned to the Coroner's Bureau .. Deputy Bordi took intake photographs of Singh and we processed him into the morgue. (MMMl 859) On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1520 hours, I (Meldrum) spoke to Alameda County Sheriffs Office Detective J. Armijo #1029 who called to tell me a Fremont Police Officer, Officer M. Gebhardt, was willing to translate the hand written note found inside Singh's cell. Detective Armijo provided me with Officer Gebhardt's email address. (MMM1859) Alameda County Sheriffs Office Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland, CA 94605 (510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax) On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1525 hours, I (Meldrum) spoke to Alameda County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant R. Bowers who advised me to email a copy of the hand written note to Fremont Officer Gebhardt for translation. (MMMl 859) On Friday, July 15, 2016, about 1541 hours, I (Meldrum) emailed a photograph of the hand written note found inside Singh's cell to Fremont Officer Gebhardt for translation. (MMM1859) On Monday, July 18, 2016, about 1045 hours, Coroner's Pathologist Dr T. Rogers conducted Singh's. autopsy. Dr Rogers determined Singh's cause of death to be "Asphyxiation, due to Hanging." (MMM1859) On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, Central Valley Toxicology (CVT) received Singh's femoral blood sample. CVT conducted a complete drug screen of the sample and found a result finding of< 0.05 mg/L of . Mirtazapine in the sample, which was listed within the effective level of (0.02-0.30 rrig/L). (MMM1859) On August 18, 2016, at 0639 hours, Fremont Police Officer Gebhardt emailed me (Meldrum) requesting a scanned copy of the letter found inside Singh's cell. Officer Gebhardt said his translator was unable to read the original photograph !emailed him. About 1333 hours, I emailed Officer Gebhardt a scanned copy of the note. (MMM1859) On September 06, 2016, I (Meldrum) received an email from Fremont Police Officer Gebhardt which included the translation of the hand written note that I found inside Singh's cell and also another hand written note which was found inside the cell by a Santa Rita Jail Deputy. Inside the note I found, Singh (MMM1859) Findings: Ori Wednesday, September 06, 2016, about 0610 hours, I (Meldrum) reviewed this case to determine a manner of death. Based on my investigation, the autopsy protocol, and the letter of intent found inside Singh's cell; I dete1mined the manner of this death to be a suicide. (MMM1859) Supervisor Review: . On Thursday, September 08, 2016, I (Sgt. Baron) reviewed this case and found it to be complete. I concur with the findings and approve this case for closure. (HB#201 7) Alameda County Sheriff's Office Corone r's Bureau · 2901 Peralta Oaks Co urt, 2 nd Floor, O akland} CA 9 4605-5 319 Gregory J. Ahern) Sheriff Director of Emergency Services C oroner - Marshal M E MO R A N D U M DATE: July 18, 2016 FROM: Thomas Wayne Rogers, M.D. TO: Case File 2016-02106 SUBJECT: AUTOPSY PROTOCOL Autopsy p e rformed upon the - body of Balvir Singh at the Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, California, on July 18, 2016, at 9:05 a.m. AUTOPSY FINDINGS 1) HANGING: A) NOOSE SUBMITTED WITH BODY. 2) PULMONARY CONGESTION AND EDEMA. 3) VISCERAL ORGAN CONGESTION. CAUSE OF DEATH: cc: ASPHYXIATION DUE TO HANGING. Emergency Medical Services District Attorn ey Investigations Bureau (ETS) ACSO-De t e ntion and Corrections Page 2 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County Body of BALVIR SINGH 1 EXTERNAL EXAMINATION 2 The body is that of a male appearing the stated age of 44 3 years. 4 left big toe. 5 6 There is a Coroner's identification tag present on the The body is 64 inches long and weighs 164 pounds. The body is presented supine and nude. the distal aspects of both arms. 7 The body is clothed in orange shorts and an orange, 8 slipover T-shirt. 9 body. 10 11 12 Paper bags cover The right sleeve has been cut away from the The left arm is still present in the left sleeve. Rigor mortis is passing. Lividity is present over the backside of the body. There is the following evidence of MEDICAL THERAPY: 13 1) Ari oral Combitube secured around the neck. 14 2) A stiff neck collar in place about the neck. 15 3) Cardiac monitoring pads on both upper arms and both 16 lower legs. 17 4) Electrical conduction pads on the torso. 18 5) An intraosseous infusion device in the left lower leg. 19 There are the following BLUNT INJURIES to the body: 20 HEAD AND NECK: 21 22 1) A 1-1/2 inch area of red contusing to the left side of the forehead. Page 3 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County 23 2) Body of BALVIR SINGH A 1/2-inch red contusion on the bridge of the nose. In 24 the center of it are two black abrasions ranging upwards to 1/4 25 inch in greatest dimension. 26 RIGHT ARM: 27 None present. 28 LEFT ARM: 29 None present. 30 RIGHT LEG: 1) 31 32 A 1/2-inch red contusion over the patella. LEFT LEG: 33 1) 34 of the patella. 2) 35 A 1-inch vague red contusion over the inferior border A 1/4-inch red-brown abrasion on the anterior-medial 36 · proximal lower leg. 37 TORSO: 38 None present. 39 The hair is black and about 6 inches long. 40 round. 41 hemorrhages are noted. 42 abnormalities. 43 44 Irides are brown. Sclerae are congested. No petechial Ears, nose and lips are without further Short, unshaven facial hair growth is present. The neck is nonremarkable. not identified. Pupils are An actual ligature furrow is Page 4 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County 45 Body of BALVIR SINGH Presented in a plastic bag is a dark blue sheet. Its exact 46 size is not determined. 47 knot. 48 inches in diameter. 49 are two more extensions of the sheet. 50 length. 51 complex knot at the end of it, and extending off the knot are at 52 least two short ends that appear to have been either cut or torn 53 along their borders. 54 material. 55 knotted into a loop measuring about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. 56 Present within it is a complex sort of Extending off this is a loop mea~uring at least 12 to 14 In addition, extending off the complex knot One is about 18 inches in Another is about 28 inches in length which has a In addition, in the bag is a piece of blue This may represent a portion of the sheet. The chest is flat. Breasts are consistent with an adult 57 male. 58 Legs and feet are without further abnormalities. 59 The abdomen is flat. The external genitalia are normal. Arms and hands are nonremarkable. No needle puncture marks 60 are noted. 61 hyperpigmented scars are over accessible veins. 62 It is No scars are noted over the anterior wrists. No The back is nonremarkable. 63 INTERNAL EXAMINATION 64 The body is opened through the usual Y-SHAPED INCISION. 65 There is a transverse fracture of the sternum, and there are a 66 few anterior rib fractures. These are fractured at their medial Page 5 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County Body of BALVIR SINGH 67 ends. 68 Otherwise, no abnormalities are noted. 69 These are consistent with resuscitative. measures. BODY CAVITIES: The pleural cavities, pericardial cavity 70 and peritoneal cavity are lined by smooth, glistening surfaces 71 and contain no fluid. 72 HEART: Ribs and diaphragms are intact. In situ, the heart is normal, with the apex at the 73 left midclavicular line. 74 epicardial surface is smooth ~nd glistening. 75 myocardium is brown. 76 No left ventricular hypertrophy is present. 77 hypertrophy is present. 78 valve-is present. 79 Coronary ostia are patent. 80 anatomical distribution and is nonremarkable. 81 present. 82 83 84 85 The heart weighs 360 grams. Chambers are normal. The Ventricular Valves are normal. No asymmetric No myxoid degeneration of the mitral No vegetations are present on valve leaflets. The coronary system has its usual No thrombi are There is fluidity of blood. VESSELS: The aorta and tributaries are nonremarkable. The pulmonary artery and venous system contain no thromboemboli. TRACHEA AND BRONCHI: Lined by pale yellow mucosal surf aces. 86 LUNGS: 87 weighs 450 grams. 88 is prominently congested and edematous. The left lung weighs 500 grams. The right lung Pleural surfaces are smooth. Lung parenchyma There are no areas of Page 6 . Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County Body of BALVIR SINGH 89 consolidation. No pulmonary infarcts are present. 90 asthma is identified. 91 No tumors are present. 92 opened, and no thromboemboli or other abnormalities are 93 identified. 94 ORAL CAVITY: 95 .missing or loose. 96 ESOPHAGUS: 98 STOMACH: 100 Airways of both lungs are nonremarkable. The arterial system of both lungs is The teeth are natural. No abnormalities of the oral cavity are Lined by a white, wrinkled rnucosal surface. Contains 100 cc of red-brown fluid. surface is tan. INTESTINES: Covered by smooth serosal surfaces. abnormalities are noted. 102 fecal material is present. 103 abnormalities are noted. LIVER: The rectum is palpated and no Weighs _2200 grams. The serosal surface is smooth and glistening. The anterior margin is sharp. 106 is brown and moderately congested. 107 fatty metamorphosis or cirrhosis is present. GALLBLADDER: No The intestines are opened and only 105 108 The mucosal No tumors or ulcers are noted. 101 104 None are acutely noted. 97 99 No bronchial The parenchyma No tumors are present. The gallbladder is of normal size. Its Its wall is of normal thickness. It is 109 surface is smooth. 110 lined by a green velvety mucosal surface. No It contains 10 cc of Page 7 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County Body of BALVIR SINGH 111 bile and no stones. 112 PANCREAS: The pancreas is of normal size. 113 is yellow-brown and lobulated. 114 saponification is noted. 115 116 117 SPLEEN: and smooth. No tumors are present. rhe spleen weighs 150 grams. ADRENAL GLANDS: 119 remarkable cortex and medullary parts. 120 present. KIDNEYS: Sectioning of them reveals nonNo hemorrhages are The left kidney weighs 130 grams. 122 kidney weighs 150 grams. 123 brown and moderately congested. 124 medullary separation. 125 pelves of both kidneys are nonremarkable. 126 abnormalities are noted of the ureters. BLADDER: 129 No diverticula are noted. 131 132 Parenchyma is The calyces and No obvious No stones are present. It is lined by a No trabeculation or tumors are present. The prostate is of normal size. is yellow-white and rubbery. TESTICLES: The right There is a distinct cortico- The bladder contains no urine. tan mucosal surface. PROSTATE: Surfaces are smooth. Papillae are normal. 128 130 Its capsule is gray The adrenals are normal in size and have their usual triangular shape. 127 No Its parenchyma is red-purple and soft. 118 121 Its parenchyma Normal. Its parenchyma No tumors are noted. Page 8 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County Body of BALVIR SINGH 133 MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM: 134 NECK: No abnormalities noted. The hyoid bone and laryngeal structures are intact. 135 Soft tissue about the larynx is normal. 136 obstructing material. 137 down, and no abnormalities are noted. 138 column is nonremarkable. 139 is not present. 140 Sectioning of it reveals a nonremarkable red-brown parenchyma. 141 The larynx is free of Individual laryngeal structures are taken The cervical vertebral A cervical vertebral column fracture The thyroid gland is of normal size. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: Soft tissue about the cranial 142 vault is normal. 143 sulci of the cerebral hemispheres are normal. 144 brain reveals no abnormalities. 145 ventricular system of the brain is nonremarkable. 146 or subarachnoid hemorrhages are present. 147 base of the brain are nonremarkable. 148 the inner table of the skull reveals no abnormalities. 149 The brain weighs 1350 grams. SPECIMENS: 150 1) Heart' s blood 151 2) Leg blood 152 3) Liver 153 4) Gastric contents 154 5) Tissue The gyri and Sectioning of the No contusions are noted. The No subdural The vessels at the Stripping the dura from Page 9 Sheriff-Coroner Alameda County 155 6) Body of BALVIR SINGH Photographs 156 157 158 159 160 161 Thomas Wayne Rogers, M.D. TWR/cah CENTRAL VALLEY TOXICOLOGY, INC. TOXICOLOGY NUMBER: CVT-16-7752 Case Name: Singh, Balvir 20 ml femoral blood labeled "Singh, Balvir; 2016-02106; 07/18/2016" Specimen Description: Delivered by Tricor Date 19-Jul-16 Received by Bill Posey Request: Complete Drug Screen Agency Case# 2016-02106 Requesting Agency Report To Alameda Co. Coroner's Office Attn: Acct's Payable 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94605 Specimen: Femoral Blood Sample Date 19-Jul-16 Alameda Co. Coroner's Office Attn: Dr. Rogers 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94605 RESULTS Complete Drug Screen: Mirtazapine detected. No other common acidic, neutral or basic drugs detected. No Ethyl Alcohol detected. Mirtazapine < 0.05 mg/L Blood Mirtazapine Ranges Effective Level: (0.02 - 0.30 mg/L) Potentially Toxic: ( > 0.3 mg/L) B.L. POSEY S.111. KIMBLE 1~~ Directors 1580 Tollhouse Road Clovis, California 93611 Phone (559) 323-9940 July 21, 2016 Fax (559) 323-7502