The Medical Examiner's Office completed the autopsy for Jonathan Whitlock. They determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication with obesity as a contributing factor. The manner of death was determined to be an accident.

Information from prior release:

On April 27, 2021, at about 5:45 p.m., deputies at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility immediately responded to assist an inmate, thirty-five-year-old Jonathan Robert Whitlock, when he collapsed in his housing unit. Deputies and medical staff immediately performed lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel. Whitlock was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Whitlock was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving.    

Whitlock was booked into custody by the San Diego Police Department on February 13, 2020, and was in custody for the charges of:

451(b) PC – Arson of an Inhabited Structure

451(c) PC – Arson of Forest Land

11550(a) HS – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

1203.2(a) PC – Probation Violation

The Homicide Unit responded to investigate the death. The investigation is ongoing. 

The Medical Examiner's Office conducted the autopsy today. Whitlock tested positive for Fentanyl during a presumptive test. However, further laboratory testing is required to confirm this. The cause and manner of death are pending laboratory results and further evaluation. There were no signs of trauma.

Whitlock is a resident of the city of San Diego. The victim's family has been notified of his death.

Media Contact: Lt. Thomas Seiver
Homicide Unit (858) 285-6330
Thomas.Seiver@sdsheriff.org