(L.A.) Steven Miller, 55, Died in LAPD Custody

Case Number: 2025-04516

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 55-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred in jail.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Steven Miller.

Height: 5 feet 9 inches / Weight: 190 pounds

Black hair / Brown eyes

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death A: Extensive Intraabdominal Hemorrhage

Cause of Death B: Rupture of Perisplenic or Peripancreatic Artery

Cause of Death C: Methamphetamine and Phencyclidine (PCP) Use

Other Significant Condition: Hypertensic Cardiovascular Disease

RIP STEVEN CRAIG MILLER (January 6, 1970 – March 11, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Tuesday at 6:12 a.m.

This was an in-custody death at LAPD’s Valley Jail in Van Nuys. The decedent had been detained two days earlier for a vehicle-code violation and then was arrested for substance possession and for obtaining food/property by false pretenses.

LAPD’S NARRATIVE

On March 9, 2025, at around 1:15 a.m., Mission Area uniformed patrol officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation. During their investigation, the officers determined that the driver of the vehicle, 55-year-old Steven Miller, had a felony warrant and was in possession of illegal narcotics. Miller was arrested and booked at VJS later that morning, where he remained housed for the next two days. While at VJS, Miller disclosed to medical staff that he was a heroin user and was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

On March 11, 2025, at around 5:00 a.m., Miller collapsed inside his cell and struck his head on a toilet and the cement floor. Miller stood up moments later, then fell forward and struck his head again on the cement floor. Another arrestee summoned jail personnel to Miller’s cell, who then immediately escorted Miller to the jail’s medical dispensary. While being treated by medical staff, Miller experienced trouble breathing and lost consciousness.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and took over Miller’s care. He did not respond and was pronounced deceased.

Representatives from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner responded to the scene and removed Miller’s remains to their Forensic Science Center, where an autopsy is pending.

Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.