Alberto Peña
Alberto Peña, 30, died on August 13, 2020, after being taken to a detox holding cell at the Starr County jail in Texas. The Starr County Sheriff's Office's custodial death report lists his cause of death as cardiorespiratory arrest while under the influence of mixed drugs, and says he was pronounced dead at a hospital that night after a preliminary autopsy showed drugs and alcohol in his system. Jailers placed him in restraints, including a chest strap, and he later stopped moving, according to the family's lawsuit and the official report. His parents sued the county and two jailers in 2022, arguing that required monitoring and medical care could have prevented his death. His cousin, Edgar Peña, who was held nearby, said he tried to get jailers to help, telling them Alberto had mental health problems.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The Starr County Sheriff's Office reported a preliminary autopsy showing drugs and alcohol in his system, while his parents' lawsuit says jailers restrained him and failed to provide required monitoring and medical care that could have prevented his death.
Reported by: Starr County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his parents' civil complaint (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His parents sued Starr County and two jailers in 2022, arguing that required monitoring and medical care could have prevented his death; no settlement or award amount has been reported.