Jacinto De La Garza
Jacinto De La Garza, 26, was held at the Gib Lewis prison near Woodville, Texas, when he died in a fire in his cell on Nov. 11, 2021. His relatives described him as quiet, and said his letters home were upbeat, though family visits stopped after he was moved far from South Texas. Prison investigators first said he died of a heart attack, then said he died of smoke inhalation in his burning cell. Other men held at the prison say staff were slow to open his cell door, while the agency disputes that equipment failures played a role, and the inspector general's office has opened a manslaughter investigation that is still pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). Prison investigators first said he had a heart attack and later said he died of smoke inhalation from a cell fire; other incarcerated men say staff were slow to open his cell door, and the agency disputes that equipment failures played a role.
Reported by: Texas prison investigators (the agency that held him); the inspector general's office (outside investigators); other incarcerated men at Gib Lewis (witnesses).