Crime & Safety

Coroner IDs Riverside County Inmate Who Died In Custody Christmas Day

Michael Portley, 52, of Hemet, was found unresponsive in his cell and he was pronounced deceased at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning, coroner's personnel said in a statement.

The Riverside County coroner has identified an inmate who "appeared to have a significant medical event" early Christmas Day at Smith Correctional in Banning and died at a hospital.

Michael Portley, 52, of Hemet, was found unresponsive in his cell and he was pronounced deceased at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning, coroner's personnel said in a statement.

Portley had been locked up since November, according to inmate records. He was held without bail on felonies including burglary, for which he had been sentenced. Inmate records for Portley listed other charges that were dismissed.

The Sheriff's Department on Monday Dec. 30 declined to release Portley's booking photo.

Smith Correctional is the largest lockup in Riverside County.

For more info see:

Banning Inmate 'Appears to Have Significant Medical Event,' Dies Christmas Day


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