HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has launched an active investigation following the death of an inmate who was hospitalized this week.
Darrell Raymond Bernardo, 56, was an inmate at the Falkenburg Road Jail when he experienced health-related concerns on July 1, 2026. Jail officials transferred Bernardo to Tampa General Hospital that same day so he could receive specialized medical attention.
Bernardo remained admitted at the hospital under medical care until he passed away the following day, July 2, 2026.
Authorities confirmed that Bernardo’s next of kin have been notified of his passing. The Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
The sheriff’s office has not released further details regarding the nature of Bernardo’s medical condition or the circumstances leading up to his hospitalization.
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