Donna Pierre Dies After 40 Hours in Howard County Jail
Seventy-year-old Donna Pierre was booked into Howard County Jail on August 25, 2024, at 9:48 PM. She died approximately 40 hours later. A custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Pierre was filed by the Howard County Sheriff’s Department on October 7, 2024. Her cause of death is unknown, and very little is revealed in the CDR that may suggest possible causes.
Upon entry into the jail there Ms. Pierre appeared to be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. She was housed in a holding cell, which is typically a multiple-occupancy cell. A medical condition, it appears, is not believed to be her cause of death. In answer to a question about whether she may have died due to a pre-existing medical condition, the response indicates that the question is not applicable because the cause of death was:
- Accidental injury,
- Intoxication,
- Suicide, or
- Homicide.
The summary of how Ms. Pierre’s death occurred is very brief. Presumably, a member of the jail staff wrote the summary. It reveals that the individual was notified at 11:00 AM on August 27, 2024, that there was an unresponsive female in the jail. He or she reported to the location indicated by medical staff, who were already on the scene. Emergency medical services (EMS) were called. When they arrived, a determination was made that “the inmate was already deceased.”
The address of Howard County Jail is 3611 Hwy 80 in Big Spring, Texas 79720. The bed capacity of the Big Spring jail is 96.
Bexar County Jail Files a CDR on a Custodial Suicide 5 Months Late
A custodial suicide occurred in Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas, on March 10, 2024. Jails in Texas are required to file custodial death reports within 30 days of a detainee’s death, but in this case, the CDR was filed in July 2024. Families can seek to hold jails responsible if jail negligence was a factor in the death of a loved one. So, in any death case that warrants closer investigation, it is important to gather facts sooner rather than later.
A lack of adequate information about the events surrounding a death sometimes means details have been left out that may suggest jail neglect or abuse. These types of situations can also have detrimental repercussions on inmates’ families, who may be unaware of egregious events surrounding their loved one’s death.
Are You Seeking Help for Jail Medical Neglect or Suicide Cases?
If you or a loved one has been affected by jail neglect or abuse, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal assistance. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have been representing individuals and families for years in cases involving jail neglect, inmate abuse, and custodial deaths, including those resulting from medical neglect.
Our dedicated team has extensive experience asserting inmates’ rights and holding correctional facilities accountable for their actions. We understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation.
We offer a free case review and are available 24/7. You can reach us by phone, text, or through our online form. Don’t hesitate to contact us to explore your legal options.
smchugh
smchugh