Long Beach HS Football Star, Late Ron Settles, Died Beaten and Hanged in Signal Hill Jail Cell, But Police Reports Say He Hanged Himself

The Case Remained Unsolved!

October 1, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 23, 2026

It has been over 44 years since football star Ron Settles, a graduate of Banning High School in Long Beach, was beaten and hanged in a Signal Hill jail cell the morning after his arrest.

Settles was a promising football player at California State University, Long Beach, who tragically lost his life at the young age of 21.

His death on June 2, 1981, occurred under highly suspicious circumstances while he was in jail for a speeding violation.

Ron Settles’ Death Case Remains Mysterious, With No Photographs and No Police Investigations!

On June 1, 1981, Ron Settles was arrested by the Signal Hill Police Department for allegedly speeding.

The following morning, June 2, he was found severely beaten and dead in his jail cell. Authorities claimed he had hanged himself using a mattress cover.

However, there was no photographic evidence of him hanging; only images of his body on the floor were taken.

This has been happening for way too long! Research Ron Settles hanged by police in Signal Hill. CA.

— Coach Jason Brown (@TheRealCoach_JB)

Additionally, officers involved in the incident invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and refused to testify, leading to suspicions of a cover-up.

Later, when the case went to court, the Los Angeles coroner’s office said the jury ruled that Settles had died “at the hands of another,” indicating homicide.

Despite this finding, no criminal charges were filed against any police officers. The City of Signal Hill later settled with Settles’ family for $1 million without admitting wrongdoing.

With no investigation or arrest made for Ron’s death, the City of Signal Hill later settled with Settles’ family for $1 million without admitting wrongdoing.

Settles’ death sparked widespread outrage and protests, but the full details were not disclosed to the public, marking yet another mysterious death of a Black man at the time.

In 2026, the City of Signal Hill officially recognized June 2 as “Ron Settles Day of Remembrance” to honor his memory and the ongoing fight against police brutality.

While Ron’s death at a young age has left a void among many, his loved ones have established the Ron Settles Memorial Foundation to honor his memory.

The foundation supports initiatives that promote social justice, community education, and advocacy for fair treatment under the law, particularly in cases involving police misconduct.

In Case You Don’t Know

• In 1995, Autopsy: Season 1, Episode 2 – “Voices from the Dead” featured Ron Seatles’ case, hosted by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden.

• Check other Articles on

Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.

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