Kevin Charles Ellison

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 25-945-CJ Version Type: AMENDED 11/24/2025 11:31 Report Date: Status: Submitted AM Agency/Facility Information Morris County Agency Name: Agency Address: 502 Union Sheriff's Dept. Agency City: Daingerfield Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 75638 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Jack Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Martin Reporter Name: Jack Martin Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Kevin Middle Name: Charles Last Name: Ellison Suffix: Date of Birth: 7/3/1980 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 45 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 11/2/2025 6:40 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 11/2/2025 7:12 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 Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Pending autopsy Manner of Death: results Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Pending, Pending Issues: Toxicology and Histology 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?: Not applicable 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 Unknown death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Pre existing medical Could not be condition?: determined 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 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- Street Address: 502 Union, Street City: Daingerfield County: Morris Zip: 75638 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 - holding 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): 10/31/2025 11:38 Entry Date Time: PM Where did the death occur? Law enforcement Death Location: facility/booking center 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 9 --- 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: Terroristic Threat 3rd Degree Offense 2: Assault by contact-FV Offense 3: 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 Yes Make suicidal statements?: Yes 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: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 9 --- 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 November 2, 2025, at approximately 6:40am, I Sgt. Kellie Hooper with the Morris County Sheriff's Office, heard dispatch requests Deputy Edwards contact them by phone. At approximately 6:46am, Deputy Edwards called me by phone and advised they had an inmate in the jail that was deceased. He advised the deceased is Kevin Ellison (date of birth 07/20/1980). I requested Edwards to stay with Ellison and not allow anyone to enter the cell. Edwards advised EMS had been notified and was en route. Upon my arrival, I observed nothing out of the ordinary. Cell #136 is in the front of the jail in the booking area. This is where Kevin was located. Edwards advised Jailer Fernando Robles was on duty from 7pm to 7am. Robles administered CPR to Kevin due to EMS dispatchers advising to do so. Robles advised he had already contacted Chief Jailer Flomika Haskins and she was due to work today from 7am-7pm today. She arrived shortly after I did. Sheriff Jack Martin was also notified and arrived shortly after I did as well. I contacted Texas Ranger David Stewart due to that being our protocol. I requested dispatch contact Horn Funeral Home due to them being the closest funeral home to the jail. I photographed the booking area around cell 136 while waiting for Stewart to arrive. I requested copies of all paperwork related to Kevin. Stewart arrived and I filled him in on what information I had. Stewart and I then entered cell 136 and began photographing. The cell in on the south side of the building. It is a single occupied cell, meaning no other inmates were inside. The door remains locked and only unlocked by jailer key. On the east side of the cell, there is a concrete bench. There were two Styrofoam to-go containers sitting on the bench, 2 empty Styrofoam cups, and one Styrofoam cup that was approximately half full of water. On top of one of the Styrofoam containers, I observed one set of dentures. They appeared to be top dentures. There was a roll of toilet paper, a toothbrush and Fixodent. On the south side of the bench, there was a gray blanket wadded up (I was advised by jailer Robles Kevin had this blanket under his head while he was sleeping to use as a pillow). Opening the to go containers, it was evident Kevin had not eaten the last two meals provided. On the floor, up against the bench, there was a green mattress used by inmates, and a another gray blanket. The mattress was partially up the side of the bench . I observed Kevin, wearing standard orange inmate clothing, laying on his back, with his arms out by his side, and his legs partially bent. He was partially covered Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- by the blanket. I did photograph everything as it was when I arrived. On the west side of the cell, there was a concrete wall divider and a metal toilet. I observed nothing else, and nothing unremarkable. Stewart did pull the blanket back and photographs were taken of Kevin's body. He appeared to have bruising on his chest area in different stages of healing, and lividity to his back. Photographs were taken of this. Justice of the Peace, Jennifer Easley conducted her inquest. She advised she would be sending Kevin for autopsy. While speaking with her, she advised she arraigned him yesterday and his bond was set at $2000. She advised he seemed ok when she spoke with him. She advised his hands were shaking and he appeared to be going through withdrawal symptoms (discussed later on in this report). Jason Horn, with Horn Funeral Home arrived and he was escorted into cell 136. It was determined, Judge Easley had concluded her inquest, and Kevin was released to Horn Funeral Home. He advised he would be sent to Dallas for Autopsy on this date. After collecting Kevins jail paperwork, I left and went into my office, where David Stewart and I spoke first with Jailer Robles, and then later with Chief Jailer Haskins. Robles advised he came on duty at 7:00pm on November 1. He works 7pm to 7am. He was the only jailer on duty. Robles advised he has worked as a jailer for the Sheriff's Office since March of this year. He advised due to Kevin still being in the front of the jail, and not released into general population, he was on more routine checks approximately every 20 minutes. He advised when he would check on Kevin, he was on the mat, on his back, covered with his blanket and appeared to be sleeping. Robles advised Kevin never woke up or needed anything while Robles was on shift. He advised this morning, at approximately 5:00 am he got the Trustees up. At approximately 5:30am, he took them out into the SallyPort to smoke. At 6:00am they start administering medications to the inmates. Robles advised, one of the Trustees Timothy Minor told him it didn't look like Kevin was breathing. Robles advised he went into the cell and Kevin was cold to the touch and rigid. He advised that is when EMS was called and CPR was started. He advised when EMS arrived, they took over care, and advised they were not able to find a heartbeat. An EKG strip was printed out indicating no activity. That strip was given to Judge Easley. Robles left and Haskins came into my office. I had stepped out during her interview, and did not catch most of it. Stewart's account of this interview will be offered in his report. Kevin was brought into the jail on Friday, October 31st 2025 at approximately 10:10 pm, by Lone Star Officer Athziry Flores. He was charged with Terroristic Threat FV and Assault by Contact FV. A copy of that Affidavit will be attached to this report. He was arraigned on Saturday with a $2000 dollar bond set. He had a Protective Order issued to him due to the complainant requesting one. Haskins advised he did not make any phone calls while he was here. Haskins did provide me with a Special Observation Log for Kevin. It will be attached to this report. Haskins advised, Kevin came in with one medication, Fluoxetine 40mg. The pill bottle has Kevin's name on it. Prescription # 0144852-21524. The prescription was filled in May with a 30 pill quantity. There were 86 pills inside the bottle. There were two different capsules. A search on Drugs.com did confirm the pills were both Fluoxetine, one was 40 mg and one was 20mg. They will be placed in an evidence bag and placed in Evidence. I requested dispatch contact Lone Star Chief Ernest Hastings and meet me at the jail. When he arrived, I told him what had happened and requested he go with me to notify family. We arrived at 908 Wildrose in Lone Star. According to Kevin's Driver's License, this was his address. I made contact with his Aunt Denise Paulissen (281-723-3091). I explained to her what had happened. Denise advised Kevin was not living at this residence, but was staying with his girlfriend Kristy McCurdy (date of birth 08/30/1990) at 913 N. Main Street in Lone Star. Denise advised she had lost contact with Kevin for approximately 20 years, and about 3 years ago, he moved to Lone Star. He had been dating Kristy for about 2 years. Denise advised Kevin was an alcoholic. She advised he drank Beer and Vodka. When asked, she said she did not know how much beer, but he would buy a gallon of Vodka and drank it in a day or two. She advised she talked to him many times about his drinking. She advised he had talked about going into a Rehab Facility, but that did not happen. Denise advised Kevin and Kristy would get into arguments due to both of them drinking and he would come to her house, until things cooled off. Denise advised Kevin had 3 sons, Blake, Mason, and she could not remember the 3rd son's name. I explained to Denise the process for autopsy and explained the length of time for Toxicology. She Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- understood. She advised she would reach out to Kristy and attempt to get in touch with family. While working on this case, Kristy called to speak with me. She advised Kevin's aunt told her that Kevin was dead. I explained to her that he had passed away sometime overnight. She advised, someone called her and told her he had been released Saturday night but did not know who. I told her he had not been released. She asked if he was dead, and I told her he was. She advised that is all she needed to know. Kevin's sister called. Her name is Nicole Shaw. She advised she wanted to be the point of contact from here on out. Her phone number is 832-589-5475. While speaking with Shaw, she did advise Kevin was an alcoholic. She advised his father was an alcoholic and passed away from Liver Cancer. Shaw advised his mother passed away from Cancer as well. I asked Shaw if Kevin ever had a drug problem. She advised he did in his past. She said since he moved here, he worked for a Temp Agency, and they required drug testing to stay employed. Shaw advised Kevin did have a history of High Blood Pressure but she did not think he took medication for it. Shaw advised the last time she spoke to Kevin, was a week or two ago. She lives in LaPort Texas. I explained the process of autopsy to Shaw and told her I would give Easley her phone number, and Easley would give it to the Medical Examiners Office to make arrangements for transport after the conclusion of Autopsy. I did request Chief Jailer Haskins to bring Kevin's property to my office to hold pending this investigation. He was brought in with the following items Red Pants Blue Jacket Brown pair of house shoes Black wallet Clear glasses case with glasses inside Black/Gray cell phone This case will remain active pending autopsy. Hooper November 2nd, 2025, at approximately 6:42 am, I Sheriff Martin received a call from the sheriff office. Jailer Fernando Robles who was working the 7 pm-7 am shift advised he was making the jail round when he observed that an inmate was un-responsive. Jailer Robles stated EMS had been contacted and was on their way. On arrival, I observed a white male decease in the holding cell (136). EMS had left the jail before my arrival. Deputy Kellie Hooper and Steven Edward were present in the jail. I instructed Deputy Hooper to contact Tx Ranger David Stewart to conduct the investigation. Judge Jennifer Easley was also contacted to come to the jail. I learned the inmate's name was Kevin Charles Ellison. Ellison was booked in the jail on Friday, October 31th for Terroristic Threat and Assault by contact family violence by Lone Star Police Department. Ellison was very intoxicated when he arrived at the jail. During the Screening form for suicide and medical/mental/Development Impairments, Ellison answered he drinks every day, and had been thinking about suicide (cutting himself). Ellison stated he take medication for depression. Jailer Howell noted that Ellison was shaking. The booking officer Jailer Howell dressed Ellison in a turtle suit and placed him in detox (144). Jailer Howell started a special observation watch on Ellison. On November 1st, 2025, Jailer Fomika Haskins worked the 7 am-7pm shift. Jailer Haskins continued the Special Observation log on Ellison. Jailer Haskins noted on the log that Ellison was sleeping majority of the time. Jailer Haskins advised Ellison knocked on the window and asked her, "where am I," she replied Morris County Jail. Jailer Haskins advised, he wanted water and his medication. I gave him water and his medication morning. I asked him if he wanted to harm himself and he stated no, he was just drunk. Jailer Haskins stated she re-evaluated him and allowed him to change into the orange uniform. Jailer Haskins stated that Ellison was shaking and when she asked, he said he was just cold. At Approximately 11:30, Judge Easley came in to arraign Ellison. During the arraignment, Ellison stated he need to vomit. Judge Easley allowed Ellison to go back into the cell to vomit. Jailer Haskins advise after Ellison saw the judge; she placed him in the holding cell 136. Jailer Haskins advised she had planned on moving Ellison from the holding to a cell in the back (160). He was moved in the computer but stayed in the front in the holding cell. Jailer Haskins stated Ellison refused lunch and dinner but wanted water which she provided. Jailer Haskins stated Ellison continued to sleep, lying on his back. Jailer Haskins advised she asked him several times if he was ok and he stated he was. Jailer Haskins stated she was concern because he was shaking. Jailer Haskins advised before she got off from work, she advised Jailer Robles that she moved Ellison from Custodial Death Report :: Page 8 of 9 --- PAGE BREAK --- the front to the back in the computer but decided to keep him up front in the holding cell. I talked with Jailer Robles who worked the 7pm-7am shift Saturday night. He gave the following information. Upon arrival, he observed an inmate in cell 136. He inquired about him to Chief Jailer Haskins, she advised that she had planned to move him to the back but felt uncomfortable doing so. She decided to keep an eye on him informally last minute. I did not start a special observation log. Chief Haskins further advised that he had been mostly sleeping but o look out for any changes in mental or health state. I began my shift as usual. I ran 40 minutes rounds all the way until the first booking of the night at 2100. Throughout my rounds, I would also make sure to look into 136. However, I did not conduct any face to face checks. I could see inmate Ellison, Kevin by either going to the door or by walking toward the property room door and get a clear view of him. Through all aforementioned checks, there were not any apparent signs of distress that would other wise me incline to believe something was wrong with Ellison. I observed that he had his blanket covering most of his body up to his chest and another blanket folded under his head as a sort of pillow or head support. I did obsrve that he had moved around in his sleep though it was slight movement. I did not take note of the exact time because it had not occurred to me for anything to be out of the ordinary. Once the first inmate of the night was booked in at around 2100, I process inmate Riley, Jeremy who had been brought in or a theft charge by DPD. Sometime before or around 0100, Deputy Edwards brought in Whetsone, Brayden on a Public Intoxication charge. Throughout both booking process, I had a clear line of sight to inmate Ellison, Kevin who still appeared to be asleep. After all inmates were placed in their cell, I still continue doing rounds and observing everyone. For the rounds in holding,I had clear sight of all three inmates by walking around the booking area while leaving and returning from checking the back. There were no signs of distress from any inmate throughout the night. I began to move inmate Riley to general population after getting his prints and mugshot when trustee minor, Timothy arrived to holding to drop off breakfast trays. I asked Minor to follow me and assist in moving inmate Riley to cell 160. At this time Minor advised that the guy in 136 didn't look like he was breathing. Upon hearing this, I went back to 136 and attempted to establish contact with inmate Ellison who was cold and stiff to the touch. I got a hold of EMS and Deputy Edwards. Deputy Edward arrived on scene shortly after to assist per EMS instructions. I began CPR and shortly there after EMS arrived and took over. End of statement Monday, Nov 3rd, 2025 I contacted our IT Department, Jimmy who helped me retrieve video from the booking area. The video start from October 31, until Sunday Nov 2nd I talked with Judge Easley on the Cause of Death Report from Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. An autopsy was performed and the manner of death is Pending. Pending Issues: Toxicology and Histology. Travis Danielsen MD This report will have the following attachments: Inmate Mental Condition Report Arraignment Medication Log-Fluoxetine He took the morning of Nov 1, 2025 Tx Jail Standards Inspection Oct 2025 Medical Examiner's Report Statement(s) Jailer Fomika Haskins Jailer Fernando Robles On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, I contacted our IT Person Jimmy about the recordings. I advised him that I needed the video in order as the night went on. After he researched the video system website, he was about to go in and retrieved the recording in order. The new recording were sent to Ranger Stewart. This case is pending further information and the result for the full Autopsy. Sheriff Jack Martin Custodial Death Report :: Page 9 of 9