The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has ruled the death of jail inmate Alexis Cardenas a homicide, citing drugs, cardiac dysrhythmia, and restraint as contributing factors.
Alexis Cardenas, a Harris County jail inmate, died during a struggle with officers attempting to escort him out of the jail. At that time, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office released a 17-minute surveillance video showing the entirety of the altercation.
The footage revealed that officers asked Cardenas to leave and attempted to escort him out, but he refused. Since the video came from security cameras without audio, it remains unclear why he would not comply. During the encounter, Cardenas grabbed an officer’s leg, causing the officer to fall. Officers attempted to deploy a taser, but it proved ineffective.
After several minutes of holding Cardenas on the ground, officers realized he was unresponsive and began CPR. A little more than a week later, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards announced that his death had been classified as an in-custody death in the Harris County Jail—marking the 12th such death so far this year.
A Houston Fire Department medical services report also revealed that Cardenas suffered cardiac arrest and had been assaulted.
Now, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has released its full report, classifying Cardenas’ death as a homicide. The findings clarified that a combination of drugs, an irregular heartbeat, and restraint led to his death. Specifically, the report listed cardiac dysrhythmia brought on by the acute toxic effects of multiple substances—including methamphetamine, cocaine, chlordiazepoxide, and ethanol—combined with both physical and electrical restraint.
The attorney representing Cardenas’ family has argued that it is impossible to know for certain whether drugs or alcohol were in his system without a complete autopsy and comprehensive blood testing. She also emphasized that inmates are not supposed to be released while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting the results of an independent investigation by the Texas Rangers. While the cause of death has been officially ruled a homicide—meaning it was caused by another person—no charges have yet been filed against any individual in connection with the case.
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