A spokesperson for the Martinez Jail has confirmed that an inmate died late last week due to an unknown medical problem.  It is unclear how long ago the 43 year-old man had been booked into the Contra Costa County Jail system.  Additional information relating to his charges, bail amount and whether he was awaiting trial or had been sentenced has not been released.

A spokesperson for the jail said the man was found unresponsive shortly after 4 a.m.  Jail medical staff tried to revive him but those attempts were not successful.  Paramedic crews were then called but their life-saving efforts fell short.  The inmate was pronounced dead just before 4:30 a.m., they said.

Deputies say the yet-to-be-identified man was reportedly known to have a number of preexisting medical conditions.  Martinez Jail officials have said there will be a full and thorough investigation of the man's death to make sure he passed of natural causes.  They do not believe he was a victim of foul play nor was he believed to have been involved in any sort of violent altercation with another detainee.

All deaths of this kind are thoroughly investigated by the Sheriff's Department and are part of standard protocol.  Deputies have not indicated whether the man's family has yet been notified.