Full Notification

Two men ordered into jail custody died last week after being hospitalized with preexisting medical conditions.  

Eric Cano, 40, who had been charged with murder and booked into jail on July 27, 2022, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital on May 27, 2023. He was receiving treatment for a terminal illness. Cano died on June 16, 2023 at 10:59 p.m.   

Ray Rattler, 56, was booked into jail on May 22, 2023, on a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Rattler was taken to Ben Taub Hospital on June 14, 2023, due to his deteriorating health. He died on June 17, 2023 at 3:14 p.m.  

The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances of both men’s deaths in accordance with a state law that requires all jail deaths to be investigated by an independent law enforcement agency.  

The Harris County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division has initiated an independent investigation to ensure that all applicable policies and procedures were duly followed. Such investigations are standard practice in these cases. 

The causes of both deaths will be determined through autopsies conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.  

The Harris County Sheriff's Office has reported these deaths to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, as required by law.