Phillip Shumate
Phillip Shumate, 81, was being held at the Harris County Jail in Houston when he suffered a medical emergency on December 22, 2025, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He was taken to LBJ Hospital, where authorities say he was pronounced dead on December 25. The Houston Police Department is investigating, as state law requires for jail deaths, and the sheriff's Internal Affairs Division is reviewing whether policies were followed. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined. The Harris County Sheriff's Office says he suffered a medical emergency and was taken to LBJ Hospital, and an autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.