TDCJ: INMATE DEATH IN NAVASOTA POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY COVID-19

  

Officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) say the recent death of an inmate at the Pack Unit in Navasota was likely caused by COVID-19.

Early Saturday morning, 62-year-old Leonard Clerkly was taken by EMS to Grimes County Hospital after having difficulty breathing.  Life-saving measures continued at the hospital, but he was pronounced dead that morning shortly before 5:30 a.m.

According to the TDCJ, preliminary autopsy results suggest a preliminary cause of death of viral pneumonia due to COVID-19, with other contributing factors.  The death remains under investigation, and the cause of death is pending final autopsy results.

Clerkly had served five years, seven months, and 11 days of a life sentence for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 out of Tarrant County.

At this time, no other offenders or staff at the Pack Unit have tested positive for COVID-19.

In total, there have been 97 TDCJ employees, staff, or contractors, along with 236 offenders in custody, who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Data from TDCJ units across the state is available here.