Matthew Plank Dies in Lubbock County Jail on 11/27/24

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Matthew Plank was booked into Lubbock County Jail on November 29, 2022. Tragically, he died at age 46 almost exactly two years later on November 27, 2024. The custodial death report (CDR) filed by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department on December 5, 2024, indicates that he died of unknown causes at the jail on 3502 N Holly Ave, Lubbock, TX 79403. The jail’s inmate capacity is 1,465.

During the intake process, the CDR shows that Mr. Plank made suicidal statements, exhibited mental and medical health problems, and appeared to be intoxicated on alcohol or drugs. The only potential indication of why Mr. Plank died is in the answer to the question of whether an accident, homicide, or suicide was the means of death. The answer is “not applicable, cause of death was illness/natural cause,” though it also shows that he did not receive medical treatment for the condition that caused his death. His specific type of custody is shown as “jail – day room/recreation area.”

The summary of Mr. Plank’s death begins with the officer assigned to the area finding him unresponsive in a shower on the mezzanine in pod 3E on November 27, 2024. Lifesaving measures by jail medical staff, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and University Medical Center staff were unsuccessful. Mr. Plank was pronounced deceased at 4:53 PM that day.

Reports of Questionable Deaths are Filed Late by Lubbock County Jail

Under Ken Paxton, attorney General of Texas, an online, ongoing record of custodial death reports is available. It shows that at least twice since November 2023, two custodial deaths at Lubbock County Jail were filed approximately a year or more later than the mandatory 30-day deadline. In each instance, the cause of death justifiably raises questions. Details about both follow.

A 37-year-old woman died in Lubbock County Jail on June 8, 2022, but the CDR about her was not filed until November 1, 2023. She had been booked into the jail on October 31, 2019, and was housed in a multiple-occupancy cell. The CDR indicates that the woman died of the toxic effects of fentanyl. This obviously suggests that illicit drugs had been smuggled into the jail, resulting in this tragic death.
A 46-year-old man died on October 27, 2023, in Lubbock County Jail. He had been booked into the jail just 17 days earlier. His CDR wasn’t filed until September 24, 2024. The CDR shows the medical cause of death was “acute hypoxemic respiratory failure / sepsis.” Anytime sepsis is a contributing cause of a death, particularly in a jail, it suggests possible medical neglect. That’s because sepsis can be prevented with simple antibiotics.

Could You Be a Victim of Jail Neglect?

Jail staff are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in their custody. If you were held in a Texas jail and suffered serious, life-changing injuries due to neglect, including inadequate medical care, reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone. With years of experience asserting the rights of inmates, we are here to help.

If you have lost a loved one in a Texas jail and believe neglect, such as medical neglect, played a role in their death, we may be able to assist. Our dedicated team focuses on handling cases involving jail deaths.

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