EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An inmate at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility was found dead on Aug. 1, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said.
At about 4:20 p.m. on Aug. 1, detention officers at the Downtown jail were conducting a routine check on inmates when they observed 34-year-old Jonathan Rizzo unresponsive in his cell, Ugarte said in a written statement released on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
“As required by law, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards was notified. The El Paso
County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Texas Rangers are conducting a full
investigation into the incident,” Ugarte said.
Preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was natural; however, the investigation
remains ongoing, Ugarte said.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone in our custody. We are committed to
full transparency and accountability and will ensure this case is thoroughly investigated in
accordance with state law and departmental policy,” Ugarte said.
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