San Diego Community Mourns Karim Talib, 82, Following In-Custody Death at Central Jail

With a profound sense of loss and solemn reflection, we share the news of the passing of Karim Talib, age 82, who was pronounced dead while in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on Monday, July 28, 2025. His death, which occurred in the early morning hours, has sparked a wave of questions, sadness, and calls for transparency from both his loved ones and the broader community.

Karim Talib was more than just a name in a report—he was a deeply complex and layered human being whose life spanned eight decades and witnessed dramatic shifts in American history. Born in 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama, during the height of segregation, Karim grew up in an era of racial tension and transformation. He was shaped by both struggle and hope, and those who knew him remember a man of immense resilience, keen intellect, and quiet dignity.

Throughout his life, Karim was a passionate reader, an introspective thinker, and an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice. In the 1960s, he participated in civil rights demonstrations in the South, experiences that helped mold his commitment to equity and justice. Later in life, he relocated to California, where he lived for many years—spending much of his time mentoring young men, working in community-based outreach, and promoting restorative justice principles in underserved neighborhoods.

While the details surrounding Karim’s incarceration and subsequent death remain under investigation, officials with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Talib was found unresponsive in his jail cell around 3:30 a.m. on July 28. Emergency medical personnel were immediately called, but despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Sheriff’s officials stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play, and an autopsy has been scheduled by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death. The Sheriff’s Department has also announced that its Critical Incident Review Board will conduct a full review of the circumstances leading to Talib’s passing.

However, for many in the community, particularly those who knew Karim personally, the announcement was met with sorrow and concern. At 82 years old, questions have arisen about his health, the conditions of his confinement, and the decisions that led to his continued detention at such an advanced age. Advocates for incarcerated elders have renewed their calls for systemic reforms, particularly around aging inmates and access to appropriate medical care.

In a statement released by his surviving family members, they described Karim as a man of integrity, intellect, and compassion.
“He was a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a man who had seen the best and worst of this world. He lived a long life filled with lessons and transformation. We are devastated by his passing and are committed to seeking answers about how and why he died while in custody.”

Community leaders, civil rights advocates, and faith-based organizations have echoed the family’s call for transparency. A candlelight vigil is being organized outside the San Diego Central Jail, where community members plan to gather in Karim’s memory and in solidarity with other families who have lost loved ones in similar circumstances.

Though Karim Talib’s journey was not without struggle, it was also marked by perseverance and purpose. He believed in redemption, in second chances, and in the power of community healing. In his later years, he often spoke of legacy—not in terms of recognition, but in how we choose to treat the most vulnerable among us.

As those who loved and respected Karim reflect on his life, they remember not just how he died, but how he lived: as a man who sought justice, who valued wisdom over wealth, and who, even in his final chapter, remained deeply committed to his beliefs.

He will be remembered with love, with reverence, and with the unshakable commitment to uncovering truth and preserving the dignity of every life—no matter the circumstances.