Third In-Custody Death Reported in April as Harris County Inmate Dies at Hospital

HOUSTON, Texas — A 56-year-old man in Harris County Jail custody died Tuesday morning, April 28th, at a hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a terminal illness, marking the third in-custody death connected to the county this month, according to officials.

Thomas Michael Andrews was pronounced dead at 5:14 a.m. at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. Authorities said he had been hospitalized since March 30 while in custody for 147 days on multiple felony charges, including domestic violence, violation of a protective order and stalking.

Officials said Andrews’ death has been reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The Houston Police Department is conducting an investigation, as required by state law for all deaths involving individuals in custody. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division is also reviewing the case to determine whether all policies and procedures were followed.

An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will determine Andrews’ cause of death.

The death follows two other in-custody deaths reported earlier in April. On April 17th, Tevin McClendon, 33, died while housed at the LaSalle Correctional Center in Louisiana on behalf of Harris County. Officials said McClendon sought medical attention and later lost consciousness before being transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Preliminary information indicated he may have smoked an unknown substance prior to falling ill. McClendon had been in custody for 218 days on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity. His cause of death remains pending autopsy, and the case is under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 19th, Tanner Goldade, 30, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Hospital after an apparent medical emergency. Goldade had been held in the Harris County Jail for 301 days on a charge of assault of a peace officer. His death was reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and both the Houston Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division are investigating. His cause of death will also be determined by autopsy.

Authorities said reviews and investigations into each death are ongoing in accordance with state law and standard procedures.