CONEJOS — The death of an inmate in the Conejos County Jail Saturday has become a multi-agency investigation and the cause has not been established.
Andy Martinez, 36, of La Jara was found at around 6 a.m. by fellow inmates, who said he “wasn’t doing well.”
He was unresponsive, an ambulance was dispatched and detention staff started CPR.
Martinez was transported to the Conejos County hospital, where further efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead.
Alison Mondragon, county jail administrative assistant, said the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was contacted and asked to assist the sheriff’s office with a full investigation to determine the cause of death.
CBI Public Information Officer Susan Medina confirmed the agency was called Saturday morning to help investigate an in-custody death, but she could provide no more information..
Conejos County Sheriff Howard Galvez Jr. said there is no way to determine the cause of death and an autopsy has been scheduled.
Just what happened is pending completion of investigation by his staff and the CBI, Galvez said.

Charges
Martinez was jailed after the La Jara Police Department charged him with assault causing serious bodily injury and a sentence enhancement of violent crime causing death — serious bodily injury on Sept. 30, 2016.
Both charges were dismissed on Feb. 17, 2017, leaving one count of third-degree assault, knowingly and recklessly causing injury.
He entered a guilty plea June 19 of this year to that charge, a Class 2 Misdemeanor. A jury trial scheduled for July 6 and 7 was vacated, he was sentenced and awaiting a bed in the state Department of Corrections at the time of his death.

Funeral expenses
A Go Fund Me account has been set up for funeral expenses.
Andy’s brother, Don “Kinki” Martinez, was seriously injured Jan. 15, 2017 in a shooting incident at Capulin that left three other persons dead. All of the victims were related.
The persons organizing the fundraising wrote, “please take the time to support Andy’s family in this time of need. Our thoughts, prayers are with them. Take the time to let them know they are not alone. God Bless and thank you in advance for your donation and support.”
Persons who would like to donate personally or by mail may contact Juanita Cervantez Martinez at P.O. Box 59 La Jara , Colorado 81140 or 308  Walnut Street in La Jara.