The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office said the inmate was treated at the jail by JPS medical staff but died despite life-saving efforts.
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — A 31-year-old Tarrant County inmate died in custody at the Tarrant County Jail on Friday, Dec. 27, following a medical emergency, the sheriff’s office confirmed to WFAA.
The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) said the inmate, identified as 31-year-old Mason Andrew Yancy, suffered a medical emergency and was treated by JPS Medical staff inside the jail. Despite administering life-saving medical efforts, the inmate died, TCSO said.
A TCSO spokesperson released a statement on behalf of Sheriff Bill Waybourn saying the inmate, who was initially arrested by the Grapevine Police Department on Dec. 23, 2024, for possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, was seen by medical staff while in Grapevine’s custody. After being medically cleared, the inmate was booked into the Grapevine Jail and transferred to TCSO custody on Christmas Eve.
During the intake process, Yancy reportedly disclosed a history of significant medical issues. Based on this information, he was scheduled for a medical and mental health evaluation and placed on a detox protocol, according to TCSO.
On Dec. 27, he experienced a medical emergency, TCSO said, and Detention Officers and JPS Medical staff inside the jail immediately administered life-saving measures. However, despite their efforts, Yancy was pronounced dead at 10:36 p.m., according to TCSO.
According to TCSO, all in-custody deaths are reviewed and investigated by Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office jail staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigations Division, an outside law enforcement agency, JPS Medical Staff, The Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
The exact manner of death is pending an autopsy. Mason Yancy is the 8th in-custody death at the Tarrant County Jail this year.