Evan Lee
Evan Lee, 31, died in March 2022 while held at the Harris County Jail in Texas. His family describes him as someone who loved sports and cared deeply about his community, and his mother, Jacilet Griffin-Lee, has pressed for accountability at the jail. The Harris County Sheriff's Office said his injuries came from a slap boxing game, while his family's lawsuit says another person held there beat him and that jail medical staff did not give him adequate care for days. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide from blunt head trauma, and the Texas Rangers have investigated. The family says the county is contesting their access to the full autopsy report.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide from blunt head trauma; the sheriff's office says his injuries came from a slap boxing game, while his family's lawsuit says another detainee beat him and jail medical staff did not treat him for two days.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Texas Rangers (outside investigators); Jacilet Griffin-Lee and the family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); ABC13 (autopsy obtained by the station) (reporters).
Lawsuit: His mother, Jacilet Griffin-Lee, sued Harris County over his death in the Harris County Jail, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.
News reports (14)
- Harris county inmate death: Evan Lee's grieving mother calls for change after his case was ruled a homicide
- Family of Evan Lee asking for answers after death was ruled as homicide while in custody in Harris County
- 29 people died in Texas jail in about 12 months; activists demand cameras, investigation
- Another person dies in Harris County Jail as community members demand evidence from HPD
- Custodial death report 22-393-CJ
- Memorial held for Evan Griffin Lee, man killed in Harris County Jail custody
- Evan Lee dies in custody: Family of inmate who died in Harris County jail is sick of waiting for information
- “A place of torment”: 22 families, former inmates sue Harris County over jail conditions
- Texas jail victims’ family sue over deaths in custody
- ‘We have to say something’: Families, advocates call for change at Harris County Jail
- What happened to Evan Lee? Harris County Jail inmate's autopsy report supports his involvement in a fight when he died
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office ordered to transfer inmates to other jails
- Out of Sight
- Harris County: Three after inmate's in-custody death, his mother still pushes for reform