A 19-year-old Hidalgo County inmate being held in the Starr County Jail collapsed in his cell and later died early Saturday morning, prompting a Texas Rangers investigation.
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that Brayan Gonzalez of Edinburg had collapsed in his jail cell at around 1:57 a.m.
According to the sheriff’s office, detention officers performed life-saving measures but to no avail. Gonzalez was transported by EMS to Starr County Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead at 2:16 a.m.
“No trauma was noticed. Further information (will be released) pending autopsy report,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on social media.
Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said on Twitter that the 19-year-old was a Hidalgo County inmate “housed in the Starr Co. Jail,” and that the Starr County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Rangers to investigate.
The sheriff said Saturday that Gonzalez was being held in Starr County due to a lack of space in the Hidalgo County Jail.
“I have over 424 inmates that are housed in different county jails — Jim Hogg, Starr and Brooks because we do not have enough beds to accommodate all our inmates in Hidalgo County,” Guerra said.
Guerra added that Gonzalez was in custody due to possession and weapons charges in April.
Hidalgo County jail records indicate Gonzalez was arrested and booked April 6 on three charges, including possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance (penalty group 2), and for a prohibited weapon.
He was given a total of $10,000 in bonds for the controlled substance and weapons charges, and a $2,000 personal recognizance bond for the marijuana charge.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with more information from the Hidalgo County sheriff.
