Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate in the Williamson County Jail.
The sheriff's department in the county north of Austin said authorities believe the prisoner, Francisco Vasquez, committed suicide Saturday hours after he was brought in following his arrest by Cedar Park police for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
Sheriff's spokesman Fred Thomas told the Austin American-Statesman the 54-year-old Vasquez had not been on suicide watch and there was nothing to indicate he should have been.
Thomas said Vasquez was found unconscious Saturday afternoon. He had been alone in a holding cell in the jail's booking area and preliminary investigation indicates death by asphyxiation.
An autopsy has been ordered.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
