Juan Carlos Guerrero’s death after being at Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas, is summarized in the custodial death report (CDR). An officer found Mr. Guerrero at about 3:30 AM on November 2, 2022, with a sheet tied around his neck. The other end of the sheet had been tied to the top bunk. A cutting tool was used to cut Mr. Guerrero down. No pulse was found, lifesaving measures began immediately, and he was soon transported to a local hospital emergency room. A physician pronounced him deceased at 7:54 PM.

A 35-Year-Old Bexar County Jail Inmate Commits Suicide on Day 8

Ryan O’Shea, age 35, was booked into Bexar County Jail on January 13, 2021. Tragically, he hung himself in a multiple-occupancy cell and was pronounced deceased on January 21, 2021. His medical cause of death is listed in the CDR as “asphyxia by hanging.” The means of death is listed as “hanging, strangulation.”

At the time of booking, the intake jailer noted that Mr. O’Shea did not make suicidal statements, appear to be intoxicated, or exhibit medical problems at that time. In answer to whether he exhibited any mental health problems, the answer is “unknown.”

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has established guidelines for municipal and county Texas jails regarding suicide prevention. An important part of trying to prevent inmate suicide is correctly identifying signs of being suicidal. In spite of this, it is widely recognized by experts that any inmate in a jail may be subject to suicidal ideations at any time, with no obvious warning signs.

Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.

This website was established to help inmates who have been detained in a local Texas jail. On this site, there is never an intention of suggesting that any organization or person has engaged in wrongdoing.

–Guest Contributor