San Quentin Death Row Inmate Found Dead In Cell

FILE - A view of San Quentin State Prison on Mar. 13, 2019 in San Quentin, California. Calif. A San Quentin State Prison death row inmate was found dead in his cell Saturday, a prison spokesman said Monday. less FILE - A view of San Quentin State Prison on Mar. 13, 2019 in San Quentin, California. Calif. A San Quentin State Prison death row inmate was found dead in his cell Saturday, a prison spokesman said ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Image 1 of / 53 Caption Close San Quentin Death Row Inmate Found Dead In Cell 1 / 53 Back to Gallery

A San Quentin State Prison death row inmate was found dead in his cell Saturday, a prison spokesman said Monday.

RELATED: Striking photos show San Quentin execution chamber being dismantled



Miguel Angel Magallon, who was convicted of killing Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety Capt. Michael Sparkes in 2004, was found unresponsive in his cell at 6:17 a.m. Saturday and was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m., Lt. Sam Robinson said.



Magallon, 35, was sentenced to death on Oct. 15, 2009, and had been on death row since Oct. 26, 2009. An autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death.

READ MORE: Escaped San Quentin inmate arrested in San Luis Obispo County

Since 1978, 79 condemned inmates have died from natural causes, 26 have committed suicide, 13 were executed in California and 11 have died of other causes. The cause of death of five San Quentin death row inmates is still pending.

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order effectively ending the death penalty in California, at least during his time in office.

Copyright © 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.