Deceased Man Found in Patrol Vehicle Outside Houston Recovery Center

Houston Police are investigating the death of a man discovered in the backseat of a patrol vehicle at the Houston Recovery Center, located at 150 N. Chenevert Street, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

An officer from the HPD Mental Health Division, beginning his shift, found the deceased male in the backseat of his vehicle. The officer had parked the vehicle on December 18, 2024, after completing his shift, and upon returning on Saturday, he found items not belonging to him in the front seat. Upon further inspection, he discovered the man’s body in the rear prisoner cage.

The identity of the male, believed to be in his 40s, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Preliminary investigations suggest the man may have been seeking shelter from the elements and entered the patrol vehicle, locking himself in the backseat, which is designed to prevent escape. Authorities believe the man attempted to crawl through the rear cage into the cargo area, where he became trapped.

The cause of death is still under investigation. The incident remains ongoing, and the vehicle’s mileage confirmed it had not been driven since it was parked on December 18.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division’s Special Investigations Unit at 713-308-3600.