A homicide investigation is underway into the death of an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at Salinas Valley State Prison in Monterey County, officials announced Tuesday.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officers were conducting security rounds when they made the discovery at 10:45 a.m. Monday, the CDCR stated in a news release.

Officers approached the cell occupied by Colin Hebert, 36, and Jessie Hernandez, 38, and called for medical assistance after observing Hebert was unresponsive.

“Life-saving measures were initiated and he was pronounced deceased at 10:58 a.m. by an institution doctor,” the CDCR stated.

Hernandez was placed on restricted housing pending the investigation.

“Officers recovered one inmate-manufactured weapon at the scene,” the release stated.

Hebert entered the prison from Riverside County on June 11, 2013, to serve life without the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder with an enhancement for intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury/death and assault with a firearm with enhancements inflicting great bodily injury and use of a firearm.

He also received an eight-year sentence while incarcerated for assault with a deadly weapon as a second-striker, according to the CDCR.

Hernandez entered the prison from Los Angeles County on July 22, 2004, to serve life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder with an enhancement for use of a firearm and attempted second-degree murder with an enhancement for use of a firearm.

He also received a 12-year sentence while incarcerated for assault by a prison with a deadly weapon as a second striker.

Salinas Valley State Prison opened in 1996 and houses more than 2,500 minimum-, medium-, maximum- and high-security inmates.

More than 100 people who knew Jessica Tinoco packed the pier in Port Hueneme, one of her favorite hangouts, on Monday night to pay respects to the 34-year-old mother of five.

Tinoco tragically lost her life on Friday evening when her live-in boyfriend, 34-year-old Raymond Rivas of Simi Valley, allegedly stabbed her in front of her children, according to police.

“I try to put myself in their shoes and it’s just horrible, horrible to know they were there and had to witness their own mother go like that,” Nicole De La Cerda, Tinoco’s sister, told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo at the Monday vigil.

The Simi Valley Police Department said it was Tinoco’s daughter who made the call at 6:04 p.m. to report her mother was being stabbed.

When first responders arrived, they rushed Tinoco to the hospital with stab wounds to her face, chest and abdomen, but she did not survive.

“She just had a pure soul,” said family friend Rayleen Morales. “I feel like that was her biggest flaw ‘cuz she just wanted to help and I feel like she felt she could help this guy, and that was her flaw.”

Officers arrested Rivas at the residence without incident and booked him on suspicion of murder, according to police.

Tinoco’s family says she had been dating Rivas for about nine months, but there were no obvious signs of trouble.

“It’s horrible that’s why it needs to be spoken of,” said De La Cerda. “Things like this happen.”

Loved ones hope to spread awareness of domestic violence and prevent other families from experiencing such a tragedy.

“That’s another thing we want to put out there if you know someone or have an idea going it needs to be spoken of,” Tinoco’s sister continued. “Remind them that they’re loved.”

Tinoco’s friends and family wore purple to show solidarity on Monday night, in remembrance of their lost one.

“She just loved the kids, always wanted to be with the kids,” said Morales. “She was a wonderful mother, that was her pride, joy, her passion was to be a mom to all five kids.”

For anyone wishing to help, a GoFundMe was created to help raise funds for Tinoco’s five children and family: www.gofundme.com/f/join-us-in-supporting-jessicas-family.

Make Maui your next LAU-approved vacation spot! Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or seeking adventure, you can’t go wrong with a Marriott stay. Even Jasmine Simpkins can’t stop falling in love with the islands! With most of the local hotels offering a special discount to those staying over four nights, now is the perfect time to experience all that Maui has to offer! 

For more information on Marriott Bonvoy Hawai’i, visit their website. 

This sponsored segment aired on 9/27/24