Fabian Cortez

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 23-359-CJ Version Type: AMENDED 1/29/2024 12:30 Report Date: Status: Submitted PM Agency/Facility Information Harris County Agency Name: Agency Address: 1200 Baker Street Sheriff's Dept. Agency City: Houston Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77002 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Ed Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Gonzalez Reporter Name: Jeffery Vickery Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Fabian Middle Name: Last Name: Cortez Suffix: Date of Birth: 6/4/1981 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 41 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 3/21/2023 11:10 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 3/21/2023 3:29 PM 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 due to neck compression by ligature 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? 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? 700 N San Jacinto Street Address: City: Houston St County: Harris Zip: 77002 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 - day room/recreation area 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): 3/21/2023 11:10 Entry Date Time: AM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Medical facility 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: Continuous Sexual Assault/Child Offense 2: Offense 3: Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Crimes Against Type of Offense: Child(ren) 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?: Unknown drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Barricade self or initiate No Resist being handcuffed or No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to Unknown 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 March 21, 2023, the decedent was booked into the Harris County Jail and escorted to the second floor during the booking process. While on the second floor, the decedent entered a restroom stall. An inmate notified staff, an inmate had been in the restroom for an extended length of time. An officer unlocked the door and entered. The decedent was found unresponsive with a drawstring from his jacket around his neck and lower extremities. CPR was immediately started, and medical staff arrived. Life-saving measures continued in the clinic, and Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived. The decedent was transported by paramedics to St Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 6