Santa Barbara, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is providing further details regarding the apparent suicide death at the Mail Jail on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The deceased inmate has been identified as 64-year-old Paul Howard Gillett of Santa Barbara. Gillett was booked at the Main Jail by the Santa Barbara Police Department on September 29, 2023, for assault with a deadly weapon (felony), and battery (misdemeanor). Gillett was also being held on a court remand for a violation of probation for driving under the influence with a total bail of $45,000.

This death appears to be a suicide; however, the final cause and manner of death is pending toxicology results.