A Clayton man was found dead inside his cell at the county jail in Martinez on Sunday, according to the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.
At about 11:20 p.m., a Deputy Sheriff escorted a nurse to the cell of an inmate who was unresponsive in his bed.
Despite lifesaving measures, the inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
The man has been identified as 35-year-old Benito Carrasco of Clayton, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He was arrested by the Clayton Police Department and booked into jail on August 15, 2019. Carrasco was being held on charges that include burglary, grand theft, possession of stolen goods, possession of burglary tools, shoplifting, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The investigation is ongoing by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.
RIP Ben 🙁
Wondering if he took his own life, or if it was an OD.
Either way, it’s sad when someone is so lost and the world is so dark to them that they end up going down this path.
@ suspect
You have to be medically cleared to booked into jail.
Condolences to his family. It was a long and difficult path they endured with him, to have such a tragic ending is a shame.
Tragic loss of long-time talented Ben! Always friendly, smart, workaholic. Rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration where disrespected deputies practice abusive practices. Victimized myself!!
Sorry, you don’t get rehabilitation for burglary, grand theft, and possession of stolen property. You get put in the clink. Don’t like it, don’t commit those crimes.
@ Suspect
Without consequences like being booked into the county jail, what exactly is the motivation to change bad behavior?
@Carnac
Love and peace, man.
@ Googlar
That was actually funny. Thank you for that laugh.
RIP Benny. I am sad that you never found your way. I will remember your spirit and laugh from the good old days (90’s early 00’s)
Choices
This make me so sad. He was a close friend in high school and I knew he was having trouble. Condolences to his family. Rip Benny!
Robbing and stealing from people isn’t having trouble, it’s causing trouble.
Arrested 10 times in the last 5 years!!!
Seriously, so much for keeping us safe.
What is up with this jail? Also, not a good look to cheer on a death.
Haven’t seen anybody “cheer on a death”. More along the lines of “play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Prayers for his Mom and family. His Mom is a saint and she loved her son.
We just heard the news ,my boys and I have known him for quite a few years. (them longer than me). Even though they had their ups and downs, my youngest can’t fathom the thought he’s gone, and the worst being he left behind a beautiful son who’s so young. Ben loved that little boy so much its so sad to hear he’s gone. We know he wouldn’t have taken his own life because he loved that little boy more than anything else. R.I.P. Ben and our condolences to his loved ones.
Lost another one. Ben was the funniest dude. Watch over max he is going to miss you and It hurts my heart that he has to go thru this . Same with his family .
Wow, so suddenly robbing and stealing warrants death around here? Hopefully none of you people ever have a family member or someone you are close to who has a drug problem. Chances are, you will at some point. Sad that this man never had the chance to recover and regain his life before he died. Prayers to his family, his loved ones, and to whomever he had who cares for him.
“Wow, so suddenly robbing and stealing warrants death around here?”
I can’t find where anybody wrote or even implied such a thing. It appears he’s made some very poor life choices. Are YOU implying that his poor life choices were forced upon him by external factors outside of his control?
My heart goes out to his family. I have so much empathy for people that are affected by addiction. As a society, we need to do better by providing quality, accessible services to people suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Jail is not a solution.
The problem is the people who need these services the most cannot afford them, only Hollywood celebrities who check themselves in and out of fancy rehab for months. Most cannot even afford insurance or Doctor visits anymore, and you find them medicating themselves and end up in prison for how they got the money for the addictive drugs.
@aunt barabara
Most rehabs are free, Delancy Street, Jericho Project, Salvation Army etc… you can pretty much walk right in. These programs have saved too many lives to count. FYI, you can’t help those who don’t want help. Life choices. I’m in my 50s and it’s been no secret my entire life that drugs can ruin your life.
Rehabs are not free, and trying to get someone into one is nearly impossible, insurance, cash… doesnt matter. I tried. time and time again. Next time you have to try helping someone you love and care about get into one, maybe you’ll experience it for yourself. Have you not read and witnessed what is going on in the US and elsewhere? there are so many addicts, these “free” agencies you speak of are overwhelmed.
You cannot make an addict change or want to. They have to want it. You cannot force them, it wont work. And let me tell you. an addict can lie , they deserve Oscar’s, tell you what you want to hear. Manipulation. If you try getting in the way of their drugs…. woooo weeee. They flip personalities real quick. Gas lighting to the extreme!!
Once an addict has burned their bridges( or even before that happens sometimes ), they tend to hang around less savory characters that are doing the same stuff they are. They do shady stuff, steal, rob, kill, hooking, etc. Lots of “good” people, have kids that turn into addicts. It isnt a result of crappy parenting (although,sometimes it is). Drugs are so much more accessible, accepted, and now we have these cities making safe havens for drug users, enabling them. Sanctuary cities are cesspools all around, literally. That is why so many addicts flock to them.
That said, I have no pity for addicts. Ive been stolen from, in car addicts caused by an addict, been in a relationship with different types of addicts(learned after the fact), have had addicts in my family. I’m pretty well versed in addiction and all that it entails. you chose to get hooked and commit crimes, then you choose the consequences that come with it. I honestly believe that many addicts have descended way past the point of returning to life. Once you get past a point, there is no coming back. Suffering and death is it, while your loved ones wonder every possible scenario about you/your addiction, your safety… horrible.
I send nothing but my heartfelt condolences to this man’s family and his little boy.
@pookie
I just called the San Francisco Salvation Army and there are between 20-30 open beds NOW. If I want the exact number I have to call back tomorrow when their intake is open.
Try the rehabs I listed in my other post. These are not the cuddly boutique rehabs, but they are free and have a proven track record.
Very very sad. I hope they get to the bottom of each and every death in the last three years and the grand jury needs to do a full investigation on how these tragedies are happening a fix it!!!
They need to bring in a better class of prisoners!
Sad and tragic, Yes the man committed several crimes, and yes he would have had to pay for those crimes, BUT he died, and that was NOT equitable with his misdeeds. Also, if he struggled with addiction, and those who joke about it and scoff at it need not wonder where you will spend your eternity, and you most likely will have someone in your life and lifetime go through it, just wait and save your jokes for your own family members… Drug addiction knows no race, color or financial statuses, no gender or sexual orientation boundaries, it truly is an equal opportunity destroyer of humans. Finally condolences to his family and friends, again for whatever sins he committed they are not your sins, nor are they your fault, you lost a son, brother, family member or friend, I hope he finally finds the peace in the afterlife that he could not while walking this earth…
@Anon2You
Thank you. Our family appreciates your perspective and kindness in the midst of the judgment