44-year-old inmate who died in San Diego jail cell identified

A 44-year-old man who died after he was found unresponsive in his San Diego Central Jail cell earlier this week was identified Thursday.

Brandon Pleffner was discovered by jail staff while they were doing their routine duties around 7:05 a.m. Sunday, sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez said. Staff began performing life-saving measures and called 911. Paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead about 30 minutes later.

“The San Diego Sheriff’s Office extends our sympathies to the Pleffner family and all those affected by his passing,” Marquez said. “A sheriff’s family liaison officer will continue to support the family as they navigate through this difficult time.”

The cause of death was not immediately available.

Marquez said Pleffner had been in custody since Nov. 8 and was facing shoplifting charges with priors.

The Sheriff’s Office said Curren’s death is being investigated by its homicide division, as are all in-custody deaths. It is also being reviewed by the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board, the county’s civilian oversight body.