Inmate who in died in custody in the Lassen County Jail on New Year’s Day died of natural causes, according to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office

Correction: Justin Poteete was found unresponsive in his cell at 11:16 a.m. Jan. 1, not 1:16 a.m. as originally reported. Lassen News regrets the error.

Standish resident Justin Poteete, 41, who died in custody at the Lassen County Jail on New Year’s Day 2026 died of natural causes, according to an undated Record of Death from the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by Lassen News.

According to the Record of Death, Poteete died of natural causes due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The Record of Death also cites chronic alcoholism as a significant condition.

According to a statement from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Poteete failed to respond to a control officer’s intercom about 11:16 a.m. Jan. 1. The control officer requested another officer conduct a welfare check. Poteete was found unresponsive and staff immediately began life-saving measures.

Fire department and ambulance personnel arrived on the scene and assumed life-saving efforts. A physician pronounced Poteete dead at 11:52 a.m.

There were no signs of foul play or suicide observed.

Click here to read LassenNews.com’s  Jan. 5, 2026 story.