Michael Jason Rivera
Michael Jason Rivera, 25, of Port Lavaca, was a new father who lived with his grandparents, wrote poetry and rapped, and had been best man at his brother's wedding the weekend before he died. He became ill while held at the Calhoun County Jail overnight and was pronounced dead at Memorial Medical Center on the morning of September 17, 2009, according to the Victoria Advocate. His family says they were not told he had been taken to the hospital and has questions about the hours before his death. Calhoun County Sheriff B.B. Browning and Port Lavaca Police Chief John Stewart have not given a cause or manner of death, which remain pending toxicology results, and a Texas Ranger is investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined. A news report lists an overdose, while the sheriff and police chief say the cause and manner remain pending toxicology results and a Texas Ranger is investigating.
Reported by: Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and Port Lavaca Police Chief John Stewart (the agency that held him); preliminary autopsy report; news report.