Christian Rayo
Not found on the Texas Attorney General’s published list of deaths in custody.
Christian Rayo, 28, died on November 16, 2023, at a hospital after a medical emergency inside the Harris County Jail, where he was held. The Harris County Sheriff's Office said he had no apparent physical injuries and that the Texas Rangers and the sheriff's internal affairs division were investigating. Court records reported by ABC13 and Click2Houston say he died from inhaling fentanyl that another person held at the jail had passed to him, and that person has been charged in connection with the death. His family said they had not been told fentanyl caused his death or that anyone had been charged, and his attorney, Brian Roberts, said he was shocked by the death and that Rayo deserved to have his story heard.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed). The sheriff's office first described a medical emergency and no apparent injuries, while court records and investigators say he snorted fentanyl passed to him by another detainee.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); court records; investigators; ABC13 (reporters).
News reports (4)
- Christian Rayo dies: Harris County records 18th inmate death days after announcing 2 others
- Third in-custody death reported this week at Harris County Jail
- Jail fentanyl: Texas inmate death involving Christian Rayo tied to white powder-for-noodles trade inside Harris Co. Jail
- Harris County inmate charged after another inmate dies from inhaling fentanyl