I've lost count of all disturbing recent headlines about people who have died in police custody. Last week in Texas, an inmate was found dead hanging inside his cell at the Houston city jail. [UPDATE: Four people have died while in custody of the Houston Police Department within the span of one week.]
PD: inmate hanged himself in Houston city jail
38-year-old Hung Do was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, underwent and passed physical and mental health evaluations, and was booked into the city jail on Wednesday. According to police, he was found dead in his cell on Thursday afternoon. He apparently used his own clothing to hang himself.
Do attempted to make a phone call at lunchtime and witnesses said he became agitated when he couldn't reach the person he was trying to call.
Police said he then asked to go back to his cell, where he was alone.
One of the man's two suitemates returned to the cell after lunch around 1:30 p.m. and found the man hanging in the cell, according to police. Officials said prisoners informed a jailer, who called emergency medical services with the Houston Fire Department.
Do's death is being investigated by the Houston Police Department's homicide division and internal affairs.
More here: Man Found Hanging In HPD Jail Identified
UPDATE: In just eight days, four people have died while in custody of the Houston Police Department. Two of the four died before they even reached a jail cell, according to HPD.