Coroner’s inquest jury finds in custody death of El Cerrito woman was suicide

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the April 13, 2019 death of 36-year-old Maria Barraza of El Cerrito. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is a suicide. (See related article).

The Coroner’s Jury reached the 12-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes, at the hands of another person, other than by accident.