Bessie Burgan
Bessie Burgan, 58, died in late April 2026 while held at the Galveston County Jail in Texas. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office said she was assaulted by another person held at the jail and was taken to UTMB hospital in Galveston, where she was pronounced dead. Another person held at the jail has been charged with murder in connection with her death. Initial statements did not make clear how the assault happened or whether a weapon was used, and the Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office says another woman held at the jail assaulted Bessie Burgan, and that woman has been charged with murder.
Reported by: Galveston County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); Texas Rangers (outside investigators).
News reports (8)
- Galveston County inmate charged with murder after assaulting another inmate at county jail
- Murder behind bars in Southeast Texas: Woman assaults, kills another female prisoner
- Inmate killed by fellow inmate at Galveston County Jail
- Galveston County inmate charged with murder after allegedly assaulting fellow inmate
- Galveston County inmate death: Woman charged with murder, accused of assaulting another inmate, authorities say
- Texas Rangers investigating homicide in Galveston County jail
- Texas Rangers investigating second Galveston County Jail death in under a week
- State Commission gives Galveston County Jail perfect inspection as deaths investigated