MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is investigating the death of an adult in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC). 

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, deputies assigned to MCDC responded to a medical incident involving a 71-year-old man who was found unresponsive in his cell.  

Deputies and Multnomah County Corrections Health personnel performed lifesaving measures. Paramedics from Portland Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response (AMR) arrived and continued medical care. Unfortunately, those efforts were not successful, and the man was declared dead by AMR paramedics. 

In accordance with standard protocol, MCSO detectives responded and the East County Major Crimes Team is conducting a death investigation. The Sheriff’s Office has policies and procedures that guide our response following an in-custody death, and those processes are underway to ensure we conduct a thorough investigation. 

The man who died entered MCSO custody on August 14, 2026, after being booked into jail by the Portland Police Bureau.  

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office is leading the death investigation. The person’s identity will be released once their family has been notified.  

Information about how and why the person died will be shared after the medical examiner completes its investigation, which will include an autopsy and toxicology analysis. 

No additional information can be released at this time. 

The East County Major Crimes Team includes detectives from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Portland Police Department, Gresham Police Department and Oregon State Police. 

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation progresses, information may change.