(L.A.) Shanika Thomas, 38, Died at the Lynwood Jail

Case Number: 2025-13760

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 38-year-old Black female that occurred at the Century Regional Detention Facility.

The coroner’s office identified the woman as Shanika Thomas. Born in L.A. County.

Height: 5 feet 7 inches / Weight: 280 pounds

Manner of Death: Natural

Cause of Death: Complications of Chronic Methamphetamine Abuse

Other Significant Conditions: Morbid Obesity with Cardiomegaly and Hepatic Steatosis

RIP SHANIKA MARIE THOMAS (August 24, 1987 – August 29, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Thursday.

The decedent was found unresponsive inside her cell at CRDF, commonly referred to as the Los Angeles County Jail For Women or the Lynwood Jail.

Note that the government investigator had initially given the decedent’s date of death as May 29 and her age as 37, only later correcting the record.

This is LASD’s 36th in-custody for the year.