Jason Wilson
Jason Wilson, 47, died on July 5, 2024 while held at the Coffield Unit, a Texas state prison in Anderson County. His father, Ronnie Wilson, said he had no idea how much his son was suffering before he died, and he wants justice and changes from the state. A federal wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the family says Jason was held alone in a cell without air conditioning during extreme heat, denied cool water and regular showers, and not checked on. Before his death he wrote emails to an outside advocate describing the heat and days without cold water. The Guardian reported that the prison told the advocate on July 7 that a wellness check showed he was fine, though his body had already been in the morgue for two days.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). His family's federal wrongful-death lawsuit says Texas Department of Criminal Justice staff denied him cool water and showers, failed to check on him, and left him in an un-air-conditioned cell during extreme heat, which it blames for his death; the prison declined to comment because of the litigation.
Reported by: his family's wrongful-death lawsuit (father Ronnie Wilson) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His father, Ronnie Wilson, and family sued in federal court over his July 2024 death at the Coffield Unit, alleging the Texas Department of Criminal Justice denied him cool water and showers and failed to check on him in an un-air-conditioned cell; no settlement or award amount has been reported.