Charles Blake Defore

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 26-18-CJ Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 1/8/2026 4:33 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Anderson County Agency Name: Agency Address: 1200 E. Lacy Street Sheriff's Office Agency City: Palestine Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 75801 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: William Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Flores Reporter Name: TJ Choate Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Charles Middle Name: Blake Last Name: Defore Suffix: Date of Birth: 9/27/1993 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 32 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 12/26/2024 1:36 Incident: PM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 1/8/2026 3:28 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Asphyxia by hanging Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Not Applicable death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Unknown Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Street Address: 1200 E. Lacy Street City: Palestine County: Anderson Zip: 75801 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Law Enforcement Location Category: Facility What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Type of Custody: County Jail Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Jail - single cell What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 12/26/2024 1:36 Entry Date Time: PM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Aggravated Robbery Offense 2: Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon Offense 3: Parole Violation Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Type of Offense: Against Persons At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: Unknown drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On 01-08-2025 at 3:08 AM, Jailer K. Butler and LVN B. Sessums were performing assigned duties in the hallway near SEP Cell 2. Sessums alertedd Butler to a problem with inmate Charles Blake DeFore (32) in that cell. Bulter and Sessums entered the cell together and found DeFore with a ligature around his neck. Bulter and Sessums immediately removed the ligature and notified the dispatcher that EMS was needed. Subsequently, personnel from the Palestine Regional Medical Center EMS arrived and assessed DeFore. The EMS personnel detected no viable signs of life and informed the Jail personnel DeFore was deceased. Texas Ranger Josh Jenkins was notified. Jenkins arrived and initiated a Custodial Death Investigation. Judge James Wesltey, Justice of the Peace – Pct. #4, performed the inquest and ordered an autopsy be performed. Sheriff’s Office personnel are conducting an administrative investigation of the incident. The Texas Rangers are conducting the Custodial Death Investigation. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 6