Ernesto Alonso Gonzalez

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 19-1304-MJ Version Type: AMENDED 12/11/2020 12:21 Report Date: Status: Submitted PM Agency/Facility Information San Benito Police 485 N. Sam Agency Name: Agency Address: Dept. Houston Blvd. Agency City: San Benito Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78586 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Fred Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Bell Reporter Name: Mario Perea Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Ernesto Middle Name: Alonso Last Name: Gonzalez Suffix: Date of Birth: 11/7/1985 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 34 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 11/22/2019 4:28 Incident: PM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 11/23/2019 3:12 Death Date and Time: 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: Asphyxiation 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: No 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? Hanging, Means of Death: strangulation Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? 601 N Oscar Street Address: City: San Benito Williams Rd. County: Cameron Zip: 78586 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: Municipal 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): 11/22/2019 4:28 Entry Date Time: PM Where did the death occur? Law enforcement Death Location: facility/booking center General Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes 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: Theft < $2500 W/Two previous convicitons Offense 2: Offense 3: Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Crime Against Type of Offense: Property 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 No Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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?: 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: Mr. Ernesto GONZALEZ was arrested on 11/22/2019 at approximately 1628hrs for the charge of theft. While GONZALEZ was in custody he was placed alone in a jail cell to await arraignment. At approximately 2200hs Officer Rodney Serna went into the jail area to speak with GONZALEZ who was requesting medication. Officer Serna noted that when he asked GONZALEZ if he had medication in his property he replied no that he just wanted a phone call. Officer Serna stated that GONZALEZ was not provided with a phone call because he had already received one before being placed in the jail cell. At approximately 0255hrs Officer Manuel Cisneros entered the jail area to take a bathroom break and conduct a jail check. When Officer Cisneros walked past the cell where GONZALEZ was located, he observed that GONZALEZ had wrapped his shirt around his neck and was hanging from a rail in the jail cell. Officer Cisneros immediately notified the Patrol Supervisor. Officer Cisneros and Officer Jose Benavides, who arrived to assist, cut the shirt and assisted GONZALEZ to the ground. Officer Cisneros stated that GONZALEZ was limp and cold to the touch. Texas Rangers were called to investigate the incident. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 6