Three Harris County Jail Inmates Die Within Eight Days, Including Man Awaiting Capital Murder Trial

HOUSTON, Texas — Three men held in the Harris County Jail died within an eight-day period following separate medical emergencies, according to reports from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The deaths occurred between October 29 and November 5, 2026, involving inmates ranging in age from 40 to 60. Two were pronounced dead at Houston hospitals, while the third died in the jail’s medical clinic.

The deceased inmates were identified as Robert Cyprian, 49; Don Johnson, 60; and Nickie Costello, 40.

All three deaths have been reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Outside law enforcement agencies are investigating each death, while the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is conducting separate internal reviews.

Robert Cyprian, 49, Died October 29 After Medical Emergency

Robert Cyprian was pronounced dead at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital at 1:07 a.m. Thursday, October 29, after being transported to the hospital the previous day following a medical emergency.

Cyprian had been booked into the Harris County Jail on October 18.

Two days later, on October 20, he was sentenced to three years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on two counts of retaliation.

At the time of his death, Cyprian was awaiting transfer to a state prison facility to serve his sentence.

The Houston Police Department is investigating his death, as required under Texas law governing deaths in custody.

Don Johnson, 60, Died November 1 in Jail Medical Clinic

Three days after Cyprian’s death, another inmate suffered a fatal medical emergency inside the Harris County Jail.

Don Johnson, 60, was pronounced dead at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday, November 1, in the jail’s medical clinic.

According to the sheriff’s office, Johnson had been taken to the clinic for treatment after experiencing a medical emergency that morning.

Johnson had been in custody since May 20, 2026, on two counts of aggravated assault of a family member and one count of injury to an elderly person.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Nickie Costello, 40, Died November 5 While Awaiting Capital Murder Court Date

The third death occurred Thursday, November 5, when Nickie Costello, 40, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Medical Center at 3:38 p.m.

Costello had suffered a medical emergency earlier that day and was transported to the hospital by paramedics.

He had been in the Harris County Jail since October 16, 2021, more than five years before his death.

Costello was awaiting a December court date on a capital murder charge.

The Texas Rangers are investigating his death.

Outside Agencies and Sheriff’s Internal Affairs Investigating

Under Texas law, deaths involving individuals in jail custody must be investigated by an outside law enforcement agency.

The Houston Police Department is handling the investigation into Cyprian’s death, while the Texas Rangers are investigating the deaths of Johnson and Costello.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division is also conducting separate investigations into all three deaths to determine whether jail personnel followed applicable policies and procedures.

The sheriff’s office described those internal reviews as standard practice following an in-custody death.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will conduct autopsies to determine the official causes of death.

The three deaths were reported following medical emergencies, but the official causes of death remain pending autopsy findings.