Robert Terry
Robert Terry died on May 16, 2023, while held in the Harris County Jail in Texas. The sheriff's office said he asked to see jail medical staff, collapsed, was taken to a hospital, and died there later that morning, and that he had no obvious physical injuries. Family members said he asked officers for medical help before he collapsed, and a 2024 lawsuit by his family alleges that detention officers beat him and that he was not evaluated for a head injury or internal bleeding. The county autopsy lists the cause of death as undetermined, and Houston Landing reported that he had been identified as mentally ill and had pressed the intercom in his cell before collapsing and crawling into the dayroom holding his stomach.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says he collapsed after asking to visit the jail clinic and had no obvious physical injuries, while his family's lawsuit alleges detention officers beat him and failed to evaluate a head injury or internal bleeding; the family and advocates also say the jail repeatedly failed to provide timely medical care.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); county officials citing the county autopsy report; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); family members; advocates; Texas Office of the Attorney General custodial death report.
Lawsuit: His family sued Harris County over his death in the Harris County Jail, alleging 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 (9)
- Man dies from apparent medical emergency in the Harris County Jail, marking this year’s sixth in-custody death
- Harris County Jail deaths: 32-year-old Robert Terry dies after asking for medical help while in custody, sheriff's office says
- Harris County sheriff addresses recent jail death; Texas Jail Project offers solution to help with ongoing problem
- Are deaths in the Harris County Jail isolated incidents or part of a troubling trend?
- Allegations of medical neglect reported at the Harris County Jail
- Civil rights activists hold news conference after 2 Harris County Jail inmates died last week
- People with mental illness make up half of Harris County jail deaths
- Custodial death report 23-631-CJ
- ‘We want answers’: More federal lawsuits filed over allegations of abuse and neglect within the Harris County Jail