Butte County Jail inmate dies in cell
OROVILLE — An inmate from Chico at the Butte County Jail was found dead in his cell, according to a Butte County Sheriff ’s Office press release Tuesday.
Cristian Nunezpaiafox, 23, was found unresponsive in his cell around 11:23 a.m. Saturday, April 30 during a routine safety check by a correctional deputy, according to the press release.
Correctional deputies reported that they located evidence Nunez-paiafox used a bedsheet to take their own life, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.
Jail medical staff began providing emergency medical treatment as paramedics arrived later, but said they were not able to revive Nunezpaiafox.
Upon reviewing video surveillance, investigators and detectives reported that Nunez-paiafox was alive during an hourly check at 10:38 a.m. and did not request assistance. Nunez-paiafox was reported to be by himself and other inmates did not have access to his cell.
“During the investigation, personnel interviewed correctional deputies, medical staff and inmates housed in cells adjacent to the cell occupied by Nunezpaiafox,” the press release said.
Nunez-paiafox was arrested Thursday by the Chico Police Department on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of battery and resisting arrest — and subsequently taken to Butte County Jail.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office to determine Nunezpaiafox’s cause of death.
Butte County District Attorney’s Office investigators and Butte County Sheriff ’s Office detectives are actively investigating this incident.