On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at about 5:38a.m., Contra Costa Health medical staff at the Martinez Detention Facility responded to a housing module in answer to a report of an inmate inflicting self-harm.
The inmate, Kirk Richardson, 61, of Concord, had sustained injuries to his head as a result of deliberate contact with a hard surface. The fire department and an ambulance were called to transport Richardson to a local hospital, where he was medically cleared.
Richardson was reportedly uncooperative with deputy sheriffs during transfer back to MDF, where he was given medication of unspecified nature my medical staff.
At about 5:48p.m., a deputy sheriff found Richardson unconscious inside his cell. Jail medical staff responded while deputies performed CPR. The fire department and an ambulance also responded and later declared the inmate deceased.
Richardson was arrested by the Concord Police Department for the murder of his parents on New Years Day. He was booked into MDF on two counts of murder and had been held since that time.
William Richardson, 90, and Joyce Richardson, 85, were found dead of gunshot wounds inside their home in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue after Joyce Richardson requested police come to the home following a family disturbance.
Well, I guess it saves money on a trial and for all the costs of incarceration! I’m sure this guy really ended up feeling horrible after killing his parents! It’s so easy for domestic violence can get out of control because of hurtful things being thrown back and forth that cut deep into a person’s soul. Like the ‘never’, and ‘always’ words. I e you never did this or that, you always did this or that.
Parricide has, sadly, been in the spotlight lately. As for the depths of emotions and thought processes leading up to these cases we are only left to imagine what they may be and to offer condolences for the loss of a family.
Well that surely wasn’t the expected follow-up!
Horrible.