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Category: Bexar County Sheriff's Department

Bexar County Jail Inmate Eric Green Dies at 28 in a Detox Cell

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Eric Green, age 28, was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center at 4:53 PM on April 17, 2025, and was placed in a detox cell. Tragically, Mr. Green was pronounced deceased in his cell just 16 hours later. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Green on April 29, 2025. The CDR doesn’t shed much light on the details of what happened, other than saying that he did not die of a pre-existing medical condition but rather died from accidental injury, intoxication, suicide, or homicide. The report also shows that during intake, Mr. Green appeared to be intoxicated on alcohol or drugs and that he exhibited mental health problems.

In the summary of how the death occurred, all that is revealed is that Eric Green was found unresponsive, and lifesaving measures began. While not indicative of what happened in Mr. Green’s case, this was virtually the same wording used in regard to a woman who died in the San Antonio detention center on November 2, 2024, yet she had been found hanging and died by suicide. It is often the case that summaries about jail deaths fail to provide details that are descriptive of what actually happened before a detainee lost his or her life.

The address of Bexar County Jail aka Bexar County Adult Detention Center is 200 N Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. The jail has an inmate capacity of 5,075.

A San Antonio Police Officer was Fired After a 19-Year-Old Died by Suicide in Bexar County Jail

When a 19-year-old was arrested and booked into Bexar County Jail in March of 2024, he was placed in a holding cell. Incredibly, the young man had not been searched prior to being locked in the cell. He had a handgun in his pocket and used it to commit suicide. He was pronounced deceased 33 minutes after the jail intake process was completed.

After an investigation, it was determined that a San Antonio police officer had neglected his duty in connection with the suicide. Having failed to pat down the teenager when he was taking him into custody, the police officer was fired.

A commitment to suicide prevention among jail authorities, police officers, and staff is essential because suicide is the leading cause of death among inmates in municipal and county jails. The rate of suicide in local jails is higher than in prisons or the outside population. Statistics reveal many patterns about jail suicides, including the fact that approximately 24% tend to occur within the first 24 hours of incarceration.

Seeking Help After Jail Neglect or Mistreatment?

Incarceration does not mean a loss of fundamental rights. When individuals in local jails are subjected to mistreatment—such as being denied essential medical attention—those responsible must be held to account.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a Texas jail and believe that negligence or abuse may have contributed to their death, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. Our team brings years of focused experience handling cases involving jail-related fatalities, including suicides.

Reach out via phone, text, or our online contact form.

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smchugh

TCJS Posts New Jail Death Information After News of a Public Outcry

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A new document listing the agencies appointed to investigate March jail deaths has been posted on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. A link to the report is here –

https://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LEApptMar2025-2.pdf

This March 24, 2025, posting came on the heels of media coverage asserting that TCJS has failed to comply with rules regarding custodial death investigations. One lengthy news report from Star-Telegram.com on this topic includes details of family members addressing members of TCJS about the custodial deaths of their loved ones.

The table or spreadsheet on which TCJS has begun listing appointments for death investigations has five columns listing the county, date of death, the appointed agency, the date of the appointment, and the status, now showing all cases listed are “under investigation.”

The data is listed according to the inmates’ dates of death. For example, Ector and Bexar Counties are listed first, both regarding custodial deaths that occurred on March 1, 2025. Taylor County is currently listed last, reflecting an inmate death on March 23, 2025.

The other counties listed at this time are Bastrop, Madison, El Paso, Dallas, Williamson, and Cooke Counties. The appointed agency is the Texas Rangers in every county except two. In Bexar County, the Bexar County Constable Precinct 2 has been appointed to conduct an independent investigation of the March 1 inmate death. In Dallas, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has been appointed to investigate a March 11, 2025, inmate death.

Jails are required to file custodial death reports with the Office of the Attorney General within 30 days.

The Texas Rule About Investigations into Jail Deaths

Texas rules added a key provision about jail deaths when the Sandra Bland Act went into effect in 2017. Since that time, TCJS has been obligated to ensure that independent third-party law enforcement agencies investigate all county and municipal jail inmate deaths. Instead, Texas sheriff’s offices responsible for jail operations have been allowed to choose which law enforcement agencies they want appointed to investigate the deaths of detainees in their custody.

In March 11, 2025, news, TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood allegedly acknowledged that the Commission merely approves the investigating agencies chosen by sheriffs for each custodial death, though he did not respond to interview requests on the topic. Civil attorney Dean Malone–whose firm represents people in jail neglect, abuse, and suicide cases–says that, to his knowledge, TCJS is not appointing third-party law enforcement agencies to investigate each death. Mr. Malone further said that this failure to act has resulted in merely “rubber stamp” reviews of the sheriff’s departments’ accounts of what happened when custodial deaths occur in the jails under their jurisdictions.

Two March 2025 Jail Suicides are Under Investigation by the Texas Rangers

Jail suicides should always invite scrutiny. Because suicide is the leading cause of death in city and county jails, suicide prevention is a critical responsibility of jail staff. Of the jails and custodial deaths listed along with the appointed agencies, only the custodial death reports (CDRs) for the inmate deaths in Ector, El Paso, Bastrop, Dallas, and Taylor Counties have been posted to date. Tragically, two of those deaths are shown as suicides. Details follow:

  • A 46-year-old male entered Ector County Jail on February 21, 2025, and was placed in a single cell. He did not make a suicidal statement upon entry to the jail. However, he had advised jail staff that he was detoxing off alcohol and drugs, which is a circumstance that is known to place inmates at a heightened risk for suicide. On February 24, 2025, video cameras in the ceiling of his cell captured the inmate tying his bed sheet to a mesh wire wall, wrapping the sheet around his neck, and stepping off the bed, hanging himself. He hung there for approximately 20 minutes before a detention officer discovered him and cut him down. Lifesaving efforts began immediately, but he finally succumbed to the injuries from the suicide attempt on March 1, 2025.
  • On March 7, 2025, a 54-year-old male entered El Paso Jail. He was discovered hanging in the general population Cellblock 540 at 12:10 PM on March 9, 2025. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at 4:25 PM that same day.

Seeking Legal Support for a Jail Death Case?

If you believe a loved one’s death in a jail facility resulted from medical neglect, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Inmates, including pretrial detainees, have a constitutional right to proper medical care. When correctional staff fail to provide adequate treatment or demonstrate deliberate indifference to an inmate’s health and well-being, they can and should be held accountable.

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are committed to seeking justice in cases involving jail deaths resulting from neglect, abuse, or medical negligence. Our dedicated team is here to provide legal support. Reach out today by phone or through our online form.

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smchugh

Bexar County Jail Fails Another Special Jail Inspection

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After a custodial death, inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) conducted a special inspection at Bexar County Jail. Subsequently, a notice of non-compliance was sent to the jail on November 19, 2024, and the jail is now listed on the TCJS website as non-compliant. Bexar County Jail failed to comply with two minimum jail standards. The inspectors’ notes mention that a now-deceased inmate was affected by the violations, as follows:

  • After a custodial death, documentation was provided. A review of the information revealed that the detainee was held in a holding cell for more than 48 hours.
  • Documentation related to medical instructions was reviewed after a custodial death. The documentation revealed that the inmate was not provided the medication as prescribed.

Bexar County Jail’s address is 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, Texas 78207. The jail has an inmate capacity of 5,075.

The San Antonio Jail Faces Enhanced Enforcement After a Bexar County Inmate’s Death

An investigation into the November 6, 2024, death of a 50-year-old inmate at Bexar County Jail uncovered disturbing information. After an August 31 arrest, the detainee went through detoxing conditions, which exacerbated a medical episode on the day before his death. The jail inspection reports specify that the inmate was not provided with his medication on September 3, 4, and 5.

After violations were discovered following an October 15 and November 18 inspection, TCJS announced that Bexar County will now face enhanced enforcement. TCJS discovered issues related to the intake process and medical services after the above-mentioned death.

Since then, the Bexar County Jail Deputy Chief of Detention has outlined a plan of action to rectify the violations of minimum jail standards. State-of-the-art radar technology will be installed in single-person cells in the booking area and other select areas of the infirmary at the jail. The potentially lifesaving technology can detect an individual’s respiration, heart rate, motion, and vacancy or presence in the cell without the detainee having to wear a device. Staff will be alerted when there is a change in the person’s vitals.

Seeking Help with Jail Abuse or Medical Neglect?

Being detained in a local Texas jail doesn’t mean losing your basic rights. When inmates in Texas jails experience mistreatment, such as jail abuse or medical neglect, those responsible must be held accountable.

Did you lose a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that denial of medical care played a role in their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered significant injuries because of abuse or negligence? We may be able to assist. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on cases involving custodial deaths. Navigating the complexities of the correctional system, we bring extensive experience and a commitment to advocating for inmate justice.

Reach out to us anytime to schedule a free case review. You can contact us 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Marcus Fontenette Dies in Bexar County Jail Within 5 Hours

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Marcus Fontenette was booked into Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas, on November 12, 2024, at 8:24 PM. Only 46 years old, Mr. Fontenette died before another 5 hours had passed. His cause of death is unknown, though the custodial death report (CDR) filed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office indicates that a medical condition was not involved, but rather his “cause of death was accidental injury, intoxication, suicide, or homicide.” It was noted in the CDR that he exhibited mental health problems. “Unknown” is the answer to the question of whether he appeared to be intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

At 12:01 AM on November 13, Mr. Fontenette was pronounced deceased in a holding cell of the San Antonio jail located at 200 N. Comal 78252. The current inmate capacity of Bexar County Jail is approximately 4,563.

Forced Withdrawal from Alcohol and Drugs in Jail Can Be Fatal

It is not unusual for an inmate in a county or municipal jail to die within hours or days after their arrival. Medical emergencies exacerbated by detoxing conditions are among the leading causes of death in these circumstances. Unfortunately, medical examiners determine causes of death, and “withdrawal deaths” aren’t always identified as such. The death of a 31-year-old woman in Bexar County Jail in September 2024 was identified as a drug-related fatality in a news report, though autopsy reports were awaited.

Jails that fail to provide needed treatment in a medical emergency can be held responsible for jail medical neglect. This includes failing to provide proper care when a detainee is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

A 42-Year-Old Woman Dies of Apparent Suicide in a County Jail

In news this month out of California, a 41-year-old woman was booked into a county jail on a Tuesday. She was discovered nonresponsive less than 24 hours later with a ligature around her neck. She was pronounced deceased after about 40 minutes of lifesaving measures.

Oftentimes, jail inspection reports that follow jail deaths here in Texas reveal that the deceased had not been supervised as mandated in minimum jail standards. This is the case in connection with custodial suicides and deaths resulting from various medical emergencies.

It is well-recognized that suicide is the leading cause of death in local jails. Studies have shown that the timing of these deaths have a high level of predictability. For example, studies have shown that the first 24 hours is when up to 24% of all jail suicides occur. This would suggest that there is no excuse for failing to provide appropriate supervision to new inmates.

Get Support for Jail Neglect Cases from the Law Offices of Dean Malone

If you or a family member has suffered due to jail negligence, it’s important to seek experienced legal guidance. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are committed to assisting those who have lost loved ones in jails as a result of neglect, including jail medical neglect in Texas. We also support former inmates who have endured serious challenges due to abuse or neglect while incarcerated in a local jail.

Reach out to us for a free case evaluation. Our team is available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form to provide the help you need.

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smchugh

Andrea Garcia Dies in Bexar County Jail

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Thirty-one-year-old Andrea Nicole Garcia was booked into Bexar County Jail at 4:45 AM on September 21, 2024. She died there in a multiple-occupancy temporary holding cell 23 hours later. A custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Garcia was filed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on the authority of Sheriff Javier Salazar. It shows that Ms. Garcia did not appear intoxicated during intake, but she did exhibit medical problems.

There are no clues to Ms. Garcia’s possible cause of death in the CDR. The summary of how her death occurred indicates that the booking staff was flagged by another female inmate. A deputy checked on Ms. Garcia and could not find a pulse. Lifesaving efforts began at 3:13 AM. The deputy and medical staff were followed by Emergency Medical Services and the Bexar County Fire Department in the application of lifesaving measures. She was pronounced deceased on September 22, 2024, exactly 23 hours after she went through intake at Bexar County Jail.

The address of Bexar County Jail aka Bexar County Adult Detention Center is 200 N. Comal, San Antonio, TX 78207. The jail’s inmate capacity is 5,200.

Bexar County Jail Files 2023 Deaths in ’24 at Least 13 Times

After custodial deaths occur in Texas jails, there is a 30-day deadline for filing custodial death reports. As of September 25, 2024, 13 deaths that occurred in Bexar County Jail were filed this year. There were a couple of December 2023 deaths, but they were filed many months later rather than in January.

At Least 30 Custodial Deaths Have Occurred in Bexar County Jail in 2024

It is alarming to think that even more than 30 custodial deaths may have occurred this year so far in Bexar County Jail, considering the many 2023 deaths that weren’t filed until 2024. There isn’t another matter in Texas jails that could compare to the importance of a custodial death. Neglecting to file at least 13 deaths in 2023 is a sign of habitual failure.

Sometimes checking past failed jail inspections can shed light on systematic problems that could put detainees at risk. Records suggest that Bexar County Jail has only failed two inspections in recent years, and both occurred in 2019.

A May 2019 inspection at Bexar County Jail revealed that jail staff, with purported consistency, exceeded the 60-minute face-to-face observations by as many as 119 minutes. The proper supervision of inmates is the biggest deterrent to suicides, inmate violence, and other unfavorable occurrences. A February 2019 jail inspection of the San Antonio, Texas, jail revealed 9 areas of noncompliance. The violations included civilian employees operating as licensed jailers, failing to properly supervise suicidal detainees, and failing to provide suicide prevention training to jail staff.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone Can Assist with Jail Medical Neglect Cases

If you believe your loved one died while in the care of a Texas jail due to neglect or abuse, it’s important to seek knowledgeable legal help. The Law Offices of Dean Malone focuses on protecting the rights of inmates and their families, particularly in cases involving jail deaths. Our experienced team is well-equipped to handle these complex matters. Additionally, if you are a former Texas jail inmate who endured abuse, neglect, or inadequate medical care leading to serious injuries, we urge you to contact us. You can contact us 24/7 for a free case review via phone, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

A Fellow Inmate Kills Jose Barrera in Bexar County Jail

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Jose Alejandro Barrera was booked into Bexar County Jail on December 15, 2024. He died in his cell at age 62 on August 13, 2024. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Barrera on August 15, 2024. The report states that Mr. Barrera’s manner of death was homicide, and the medical cause was strangulation.

In the summary of how the death occurred, the incident began at 1:58 PM on August 13. It was initiated by a request for assistance in unit CI, cell #08 regarding two inmates. Both were escorted out of the cell. Deputy Mireles returned to gather the personal property of both inmates. While there, another detainee in C108 told the deputy to check on Mr. Barrera because he had also been assaulted by one of the detainees who had just been removed from the cell.

He discovered that Mr. Barrera was lying on his back covered up to his neck with a bed sheet. The deputy saw no movement, and Mr. Barrera was unresponsive. He pulled down the sheet and observed that he wasn’t breathing. Lifesaving attempts began immediately and, after consulting with the University Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Harper, Mr. Barrera was pronounced deceased at 2:37 PM.

How Do Texas Jails Prevent Inmate-on-Inmate Violence?

Supervision of inmates is the best way to deter violence and suicide. Alarmingly, lack of proper observation is a common area in which Texas jails are found to be non-compliant. In 2019, Bexar County Jail was cited for non-compliance in February and May. Several of the rules violated were related to observations. The following are a couple of the inspector’s notes:

Observation logs indicated that jail staff exceeded the required face-to-face 15-minute observations on a continual basis. [The approved Bexar County Jail operational plan for inmates of full suicide precautions states that inmates shall be observed every 15 minutes.]

In areas where inmates must be observed every 60 minutes, jail staff continually exceeded the required observations by as few as 1 minute up to 126 minutes.

A Texas Jail Is Currently on the Verge of Overcrowding

In June 2024 news, the Potter County Jail population is reaching 85% capacity. The address of Potter County Jail is 13103 NE 29th in Amarillo, Texas 79111, and the jail’s bed capacity is 598. The county Commissioners’ Court voted unanimously to arrange for detainees to be housed in Deaf Smith County. Deaf Smith County Jail is at 235 E 3rd Street #205 in Hereford, Texas 79045. The jail has an inmate capacity of 93.

Sheriff Brian Thomas stated that 47 of the people currently incarcerated at Potter County Jail have been charged with murder, and 36 of them were already being moved. But, he said, “We are just having too much violent crime.”

Seek Help for Jail Medical Neglect with the Law Offices of Dean Malone

If you believe that a loved one died due to neglect or abuse while in the custody of a Texas jail, it’s essential to seek skilled legal support. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are dedicated to asserting the rights of jail inmates and their families, particularly in cases involving jail-related deaths. Our experienced team is well-versed in handling these complex cases. If you are a former detainee who has experienced abuse, neglect, or medical negligence while in jail and are now facing life-altering injuries, we encourage you to reach out to us. For a free case evaluation, contact us any time, day or night—by phone, text, or through by our online form.

 

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smchugh

Juan Moreno-Hernandez Dies in Bexar County Jail

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Juan Moreno-Hernandez went through intake at Bexar County Jail on November 24, 2023. He died there at age 36 on June 24, 2024. The custodial death report (CDR) about this tragic death says that–at 6:30 a.m. on the day of his death–he was found unresponsive and face up, and his lips were bluish in color. He was in a multiple-occupancy holding cell. Lifesaving attempts were made by staff, emergency medical services, and the San Antonio Fire Department, but there was no response. He was pronounced deceased at 7:19 a.m.

The San Antonio Sheriff’s Department prepared the CDR about Mr. Moreno-Hernandez, and the report shows that his cause of death is unknown and pending an autopsy. There is also a question concerning whether the “death was an accident, homicide, or suicide, who caused the death?” The response is, “Unknown whether the decedent sustained a fatal injury.”

The address of Bexar County Jail is 200 N. Comal, San Antonio, TX 78207.
The bed capacity of the jail, which is also known as the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, is 5,200.

Concerned Organizations Unite Re Deaths at a Texas County Jail

Several community organizations recently joined forces to address deaths that have occurred in a large Texas county jail system. According to the letter sent to the Department of Justice, multiple layers of abuse, neglect, and failures of supervision and oversight have been uncovered in connection with custodial deaths at that facility. They allege that a continual pattern of medical neglect and a failure to guard the basic human rights of inmates exists, and they provide specific cases to illustrate these claims.

An Inmate in a Texas County Jail Allegedly Dies a Victim of Inadequate Medical Care

Allegedly, a 38-year-old man was subjected to being pepper-sprayed at least three times during booking into the Texas jail alluded to above. He was also handled violently, and his pleas that he could not breathe were ignored. Within an hour, he was discovered unconscious. The next day, he died with symptoms showing that his lungs were inflamed, blood was in his ears and nose, and his face and neck were swollen.

Initially, his death was ruled as natural and “due to a sickle cell crisis.” This conclusion by the county medical examiner was strenuously opposed. An outside investigation demonstrated that it was an impossibility that the inmate had sickle cell disease. A medical expert asserted that, in his opinion, the county was trying to keep the real cause of death hidden and, therefore, groped to find a reason to explain the man’s death. The CDR about this man’s death currently shows that he died of cardiac arrest.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone Can Help with Jail Medical Neglect

If a loved one has passed away while in the custody of a Texas jail and you suspect neglect or jail abuse, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal assistance. The Law Offices of Dean Malone represents the rights of jail inmates and their families, particularly in jail death cases. Our dedicated team has extensive experience in this area. Additionally, if you are a former detainee who has suffered abuse, neglect, or medical negligence while in jail and are now dealing with life-altering injuries, we encourage you to reach out to us. For a complimentary case review, you can contact us 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form.

 

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smchugh

Francisco Salinas Dies After 51 Hours in Bexar County Jail

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Francisco Javier Salinas, age 41, entered Bexar County Jail at 4:20 AM on April 17, 2024. He was pronounced deceased in a holding cell 51 hours later at 7:19 AM on April 19. Under the direction of Sheriff Javier Salazar, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Salinas on April 25, 2024. Bexar County Jail is at 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, TX 75142.

It appears that Mr. Salinas may not have gone through the booking process at the time of his death. Answers to questions about his condition when admitted were “unknown,” per the CDR. A deputy discovered him in an unresponsive state, and the deputy indicated that his lips were bluish. He was pronounced deceased in the cell by San Antonio Fire Department Capt. Schott 49 minutes later. His cause of death is unknown.

Fentanyl Smuggled into Jails Threatens Lives

In May 2023 news, the lives of seven inmates in a Washington state county jail were saved in a multiple casualty incident. Deputies had observed inmate behaviors consistent with the symptoms of overdose caused by fentanyl. One after another, the inmates began swaying and falling against a wall.

Narcan was administered to all seven inmates. They were transported to a local hospital and later were returned to the jail. They all survived the incident.

Fentanyl caused approximately 200 deaths daily in the U.S. in 2022. Since 2018, over a quarter of a million people died from fentanyl overdoses in the U.S. alone. When administered in time, Narcan/ naloxone is an effective treatment that saves the lives of people experiencing an opioid overdose.

In the Washington jail, it was believed that an inmate had smuggled fentanyl into the jail. Within days, authorities charged an inmate with possession of a controlled substance inside a correctional facility.

Substance Withdrawal Is Common in U.S. Jails

Detainees in U.S. jails often suffer from withdrawal. If acute withdrawal symptoms aren’t treated, a preventable death can occur. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recently released Guidelines for Managing Substance Withdrawal in Jails. The information can help jails avoid deaths from severe alcohol and drug withdrawal.

The attentiveness of jail staff is crucial because detainees may not be able to accurately report what they’ve ingested because unknown contaminants are often mixed with other substances. There are indicators of drug withdrawal, with which jailers should be familiar, and the following are among them:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Appearing withdrawn or severely depressed
  • Agitation
  • Diarrhea
  • Talking about hurting themselves or others
  • Vomiting
  • Increasing panic or anxiety

Has Someone in Your Family Died from Possible Jail Neglect?

Has a loved one died in jail, and do you suspect that jail neglect was the cause of their death? Jails can be held accountable when custodial deaths occur due to jail neglect such as jail medical neglect. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have a team dedicated to custodial death cases. With our years of jail neglect experience, we can also sometimes help when former detainees in a U.S. jail have suffered a life-altering injury during their incarceration.

Call today, text, or fill out our online form. We are available to you 24/7.

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smchugh

A Bexar County Detainee Dies-5

Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

After the nurse found Ed Penix unresponsive in the infirmary at Bexar County Jail and initiated a Code 1 Blue, she immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When personnel with the San Antonio Fire Department arrived, they continued the lifesaving measures. The medical director at the jail pronounced Mr. Penix deceased at 3:30 a.m. on October 10, 2023.

A Bexar County Jail Detainee Dies of Sepsis

A 47-year-old detainee at Bexar County Jail did not exhibit medical problems when he went through intake on June 25, 2022, per the custodial death report (CDR). There is no information about what happened between the date of entry into the San Antonio, Texas, jail and his death on December 5, 2022. It does indicate that the decedent received no treatment at the jail for the medical condition that caused his death.

We know that on December 4, 2022, at about 8:15 p.m., a medical emergency was initiated for the detainee because he was having difficulty breathing. He was transferred to the University Hospital Emergency Room (UHER) because the level of emergency the detainee was experiencing required a higher level of care. Hours later, at 2:08 a.m. on December 5, personnel at UHER initiated a medical emergency. Lifesaving measures were administered. Nineteen minutes later, a physician at the hospital deemed the effort unsuccessful. He pronounced the Bexar County Jail detainee deceased at 2:27 a.m.

An autopsy was performed and the medical cause of death was determined to be sepsis as well as periorbital cellulitis, periocular hemorrhage, swelling, and discoloration.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this five-part series.

Among other reasons, this website was created to provide detainees in local Texas jails and their families with helpful resources. There is no intention of making insinuations that persons or entities have engaged in wrongdoing.

–Guest Contributor

 

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smchugh

A Bexar County Detainee Dies-3

Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Ed Penix was 63 years old when he was arrested and booked into Bexar County Jail on October 5, 2023. In under a week, he was pronounced deceased. The custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Penix includes a summary of how his death occurred. He was in the infirmary for treatment of diabetes, an open wound, and lower extremity weakness. He also had low blood sugar and was perspiring. Medical was purportedly preparing to transport Mr. Penix to the emergency room for a higher level of care when he became unresponsive on October 10, 2023, the same day he was pronounced deceased.

A Detainee Dies by Suicide in Bexar County Jail Continued

The CDR’s summary of how the death of William James Shandore occurred indicates that at 1:25 p.m. another detainee at the jail was distributing water to each cell.  At about 1:29 p.m., as he approached cell AG26, he noticed that Mr. Shandore was hanging. He immediately notified the Unit AG Deputy Adan Gonzalez. Deputy Gonzalez immediately initiated a CODE 1 via radio and also immediately ran to Mr. Shandore’s cell. He observed that Mr. Shandore was hanging from a ligature that appeared to be fashioned out of a bedsheet. Mr. Shandore was hanging from the vent above the sink.

Deputy Gonzalez used the rescue tool to cut Mr. Shandore down, and he began CPR. One of the first personnel to respond to the scene was Deputy Gustavo Vargas, who is with the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT).

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

Among other reasons, this website was created to provide detainees in local Texas jails and their families with helpful resources. There is no intention of making insinuations that persons or entities have engaged in wrongdoing.

–Guest Contributor

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smchugh
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