FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2026
Travis County Inmate Dies at Austin Hospital
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, a Travis County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer called for aid after noticing inmate Ronald David Neal, 78, appeared to be experiencing a medical emergency in his cell. Neal was immediately assessed by medical staff, who determined that he was still breathing. He was transported to the hospital by ATCEMS at 10:08 a.m. and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff at 11:03 a.m.
Neal was booked into custody on May 31, 2026, on six charges of Aggravated Assault and one charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
An investigation by TCSO’s Internal Affairs Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Rangers and the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office is underway, as is customary with any death in custody. The autopsy was conducted on June 15, 2026, and the final report is pending.
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Submitted By:
Kristen Dark, Sr. Public Information Officer | (512) 854-4986
Drew Knight, Public Information Specialist | (512) 854-8426