WCSO: Convict's death appears to be 'natural causes,' autopsy report pending

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff's Office will investigate the July 25 in-custody death of a 44-year-old man, according to a WCSO press release.

On April 23, Cassis Griffin, of Austin, was booked into the Williamson County Jail on a felony DWI case, WCSO said. According to online court records, he had entered a guilty plea and received his sentence on July 2.

WCSO said that Griffin had been in their custody at his time of death, awaiting transport to prison.

Williamson County corrections officers found Griffin unresponsive in his cell on July 25, the release said. The officers attempted life-saving measures and called for help from the Georgetown Fire Department and EMS, according to WCSO.

Griffin was taken to the hospital and was later pronounced dead, the release said.

"Detectives immediately requested an outside local law enforcement agency to conduct an independent investigation into the death," WCSO said in the release.

WCSO said it is "in communication" with the Williamson County District Attorney's Office about the investigation.

“At this time, it appears to be a natural medical condition that caused Mr. Griffin's death,
but we are awaiting further information and toxicology findings from the Travis County
Medical Examiner’s Office," said WCSO Criminal Investigation Division commander John Foster in the release.

An autopsy and toxicology report from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office are pending, the release said.