Ramon Thomas
Ramon Thomas, 30, died on July 1, 2023, while held at the Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas. His mother, Dianne Bailey-Rijsenburg, said he had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, that he should have been in a special mental health unit rather than jail, and that her children were all she had. The sheriff's office said he died after an apparent medical emergency, that he had no obvious physical injuries, and that he was pronounced dead at Ben Taub Hospital. Lawyers in a lawsuit allege that jailers failed to provide lifesaving measures during the emergency, while the Texas Rangers and the sheriff's internal affairs division are investigating and the cause of death awaits an autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office said he died after an apparent medical emergency with no obvious injuries and the autopsy is pending; his family disputes that he should have been jailed given his mental illness, and lawyers in a lawsuit allege jailers failed to provide lifesaving measures during the emergency.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Texas Rangers and sheriff's internal affairs division (outside investigators); his mother; lawyers in the lawsuit.
Lawsuit: His family filed a lawsuit alleging that jailers failed to provide lifesaving measures during a medical emergency, and no amount has been reported.
News reports (6)
- A man died while in custody at the Harris County Jail, raising this year’s death toll to 9 people
- Harris County Jail death: Ramon Thomas dies from apparent medical emergency while under sheriff's office custody, HCSO says
- People with mental illness make up half of Harris County jail deaths
- “A place of torment”: 22 families, former inmates sue Harris County over jail conditions
- Out of Sight
- Custodial death report 23-893-CJ