Francisco Bazan
Francisco Bazan, 46, died in late April 2025 while held at the Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas. Investigators say he was beaten in his cell by other people held in a housing unit for people affiliated with criminal gangs after a jail officer opened his cell door. Sources give different dates for when he was found, with some saying a deputy found him unresponsive on April 30 and that jail medical staff and firefighters tried to save him. The Bexar County medical examiner has said he died of blunt force injuries and internal bleeding and ruled the death a homicide. An arrest affidavit accuses a former jailer of intentionally opening the cell door, and the Texas Rangers are investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). Investigators say a deputy opened Bazan's cell door, letting other people held there beat him, and the deputy and four other men have been charged with murder; the Express-News reported that Bazan was not found for two days.
Reported by: Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Bexar County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Texas Rangers (outside investigators); Texas Department of Public Safety (outside investigators); arrest affidavit; Express-News (reporters).
News reports (13)
- Texas Rangers probe death of Bexar inmate found unresponsive with blunt force injuries
- Bexar County inmate’s death investigated as a homicide
- BCSO deputy charged with murder after 46-year-old Bexar County jail inmate found dead, warrant shows
- Bexar County deputy arrested for murder after inmate found unresponsive in cell
- 2 more Bexar County inmates charged in connection with 46-year-old inmate’s jail death, records show
- Custodial death report 25-346-CJ
- Bexar County deputy arrested on charges he helped facilitate beating death of jail inmate
- Texas jail guard is accused of helping inmates kill another prisoner over $40 debt
- Texas jail guard 'laughed' as four inmates 'killed another prisoner over $40 debt'
- BCSO: Former deputy charged in connection with inmate’s jail death arrested on new charge, released
- Bexar County jailer charged with murder related to inmate's death released on bond — again
- More people are dying in the Bexar County Jail, despite reform efforts
- Homicides, overdoses and suicides: KSAT reviews 2025 deaths at Bexar County jail