21-year-old inmate found dead at main jail in Merced after apparent homicide, sheriff says
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A 21-year old inmate was found dead Wednesday inside the main jail in Merced, a victim of an apparent homicide, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Merced County Sheriff Corrections staff located the unresponsive inmate at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.
The inmate was identified as Jacob Merlin Apodaca, 21, of Merced. He appeared to have been a victim of an assault, according to the release.
Correctional staff and first responders attempted life-saving measures but they were unsuccessful and Apodaca was pronounced dead.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Investigations Bureau, including the Major Crimes Unit, is investigating the incident.
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 8:57 PM.
