Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Robert Terry

32 years old · died May 16, 2023 · Harris County Detention Center, Harris County, Texas

Robert Terry, 32, died on May 16, 2023, after collapsing inside the Harris County Jail in Texas, where he had been held since May 13. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, he had asked to see jail medical staff shortly before he collapsed, was taken to a hospital, and died there that morning, and the office said he showed no obvious physical injuries. Family and advocates have said the jail repeatedly failed to provide timely medical care, and a later family lawsuit alleges that detention officers beat him and that he was not evaluated for a head injury or internal bleeding. Officials described an apparent medical emergency, and the county autopsy listed the cause of death as undetermined; the Texas Rangers and the sheriff's internal affairs division investigated.

Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says he had an apparent medical emergency with no obvious injuries, and the county autopsy lists the cause as undetermined; his family's lawsuit says officers beat him and staff did not evaluate him for a head injury or internal bleeding.

Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); county autopsy report; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).

Lawsuit: His family sued over his death in the Harris County Jail, alleging that detention officers beat him and failed to evaluate him for a head injury or internal bleeding, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.

News reports (8)

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Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.