Press Release: Decedent in Monterey County Jail Death Identified

DATE/TIME: 4/23/26 at 5:20 PM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Decedent in Monterey County Jail Death Identified

LOCATION: 1410 Natividad Road, Salinas, California

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the person that was found to be unresponsive in their housing cell and was later pronounced deceased.

Just after 5:00 AM on Wednesday April 22, 2026, deputies at Monterey County Jail were distributing meals and located an unresponsive incarcerated person in their housing cell.

Deputies and in-house medical personnel initiated life-saving measures. Emergency assistance was also requested from and provided by allied fire and ambulance personnel. The individual was transported to a local hospital where despite all life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased.

The decedent has been identified as 34-year-old Alejandro Zepeda of Salinas.

In accordance with established protocol and to ensure an independent and objective review, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has requested the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit to conduct a post-mortem forensic examination to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, consistent with applicable laws and the integrity of the investigation.