TEXAS RANGERS INVESTIGATING DEATH AT WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL
FAMILY BELIEVES DEATH DUE TO NEGLIGENCE
The Texas Rangers are currently investigating a death at the Washington County Jail.
Sheriff Otto Hanak reports that they are investigating the death of 33-year-old Bryan O’Neal Dixon of Brenham. Dixon had been court ordered to jail on Thursday, March 11, 2021 for violating terms of his probation.
According to Hanak, Dixon was found to be unresponsive this (Tuesday) morning at approximately 6:15 a.m. during routine cell checks.
Update @ 5:30 p.m.: The family of Dixon believes his death to be the result of negligence. Tyrika Scyrus, Dixon’s sister, said he was diagnosed as schizophrenic and bipolar. According to Scyrus, Dixon repeatedly told jail staff he was not feeling well. She alleges officers did not call paramedics to check on him and instead put him in a padded cell, returning later to find his body in the cell.
Scyrus believes Dixon would not refuse medical help, and calls this “murder from neglect.” She further stated, “I think they killed my brother.”
Hanak said in a statement to KWHI that Dixon was evaluated and treated by several health officials since entering the jail on March 11th, including checks by EMS, the jail doctor, and jail medical assistants. He also said Dixon was moved to a padded cell “for his own protection” and that he was checked on a regular basis. He said investigation by the Texas Rangers is ongoing at this time, and that no further comments would be made on the matter.
Dixon’s mother, Tracie Dixon, says there are a lot of unanswered questions on what happened and how it happened. She says she was not notified of Dixon’s death before officials arrived at the jail to pick up his body, and questions what events led to him being put in a padded cell in the first place.
Dixon’s family says his body has been taken to Austin for an autopsy.