(L.A.) Wilbert Lucero, 49, Died in State Prison
Case Number: 2026-02067
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 49-year-old Latino male that occurred in state prison.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Wilbert Lucero. Born in San Diego County. Mother’s maiden name is Magdaleno.
Manner of Death: Homicide
Cause of Death: Multiple Sharp-Force Injuries
RIP WILBERT F LUCERO (July 15, 1976 – February 3, 2026)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Tuesday night.
The decedent was found unresponsive inside his cell at California State Prison, Los Angeles County (CSP-LAC).
Three other inmates — Jeremy Rakistis, Ismael Marquez, and Raymond Moreno — have been placed in restricted housing in connection with the incident. All the individuals involved were serving life sentences for murder or attempted murder convictions.
Officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are investigating.
CDCR NARRATIVE
At approximately 8:40 p.m., during a security check, staff observed incarcerated person Wilbert Lucero unresponsive in his cell.
Staff immediately responded, initiating lifesaving measures and activating 911. Outside medical ambulance staff pronounced Lucero deceased at 8:56 p.m.
Lucero’s cellmate, incarcerated person Jeremy Rakisits, as well as incarcerated persons Ismael Marquez and Raymond Moreno, have been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the CSP-LAC Investigative Services Unit and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.
Lucero, 49, was received from Los Angeles County on December 13, 2005. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder with an enhancement for the use of a firearm.
Rakisits, 29, was received from Los Angeles County on February 14, 2017. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder with an enhancement for the use of a firearm causing great bodily injury/death and street gang act in commission of serious felony.
Marquez, 48, was received from Los Angeles County on November 3, 2014. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder second striker with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury/death. He was also sentenced to four years for criminal threat to cause great bodily injury/death second striker.
Moreno, 42, was received from Los Angeles County on March 11, 2024. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of firearm causing great bodily injury/death.
CSP-LAC opened in February 1993 in Los Angeles County. The institution houses approximately 3,000 minimum- and maximum-custody incarcerated individuals and employs approximately 1,500 staff.