Derrick Ellison
Derrick Ellison, 47, died on December 5, 2022, while held at the Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas. He had served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged, later worked as a correctional officer, and had struggled with mental illness for much of his adult life, according to his family. Jail staff found him in his cell having trouble breathing, and he died at University Hospital hours later. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office attributed his death to sepsis from cellulitis of the right face, as quoted in a lawsuit, which says he was assaulted in custody and denied medical care. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said he died of a medical episode, and his aunt said the family hopes the true circumstances of his death come to light.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Bexar County Medical Examiner attributed his death to sepsis from facial cellulitis, while his lawsuit says jail staff denied him medical care and that he was assaulted in custody.
Reported by: Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); his lawsuit; Bexar County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family sued Bexar County and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office over his death, alleging assault and denial of medical care in custody.