Casandra Monette Pearson
Casandra Monette Pearson, 29, died on May 17, 2026, while held at the Bexar County jail in Texas. Her aunt, Stephanie Shoels, described her as a daughter, niece, and mother, and Pearson left behind an 8-year-old daughter. Sheriff's officials said she was found breathing but unresponsive in her cell and that jail medical staff and San Antonio EMS tried to save her before she was pronounced dead at a hospital. Pearson's family and the advocacy group ACT 4 SA say she had sickle cell anemia and mental health struggles, that she did not receive proper medical care, and that jail staff responded too slowly. The sheriff's office says all policies and procedures were followed, the Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the death natural and listed sickle cell disease as the cause, and the Castle Hills Police Department is investigating under the Sandra Bland Act.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death natural from sickle cell disease, while her family and the advocacy group Act 4 SA say jail staff did not give her proper medical care and responded too slowly.
Reported by: Bexar County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Pearson's family (family or their lawyers); Act 4 SA (advocates).
News reports (5)
- Bexar County jail inmate dies at hospital after suspected medical episode, BCSO says
- Family members demand accountability after woman dies in Bexar County Jail
- Family demands answers after loved one dies in custody of Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
- Bexar County Has Spent Millions Moving Inmates While 91 People Have Died Since 2020
- Cause of death for Bexar County Jail inmate revealed as Sickle Cell Anemia