Community Demands Answers After Eric Perez, 40, Dies in Custody at Duval County Jail
BENAVIDES, TX — June 19, 2025 — Heartbreak and outrage ripple through the small town of Benavides, Texas, following the sudden and unexplained death of Eric Perez, a 40-year-old father, oilfield worker, and lifelong resident, who died while in the custody of the Duval County Jail.
According to family members, Eric was supposed to be released within a few hours of being booked — but instead, his mother received a devastating call asking her to identify his body. When she arrived, escorted by Texas Rangers, she was horrified to find visible injuries to his face, raising serious concerns about what truly happened during his time in custody.
Authorities have confirmed that CPR was performed on Eric at the jail, and that he was transported to Spohn Hospital in Alice, where he was later pronounced deceased. However, many questions remain unanswered — particularly for a man who, according to his loved ones, had never been incarcerated before and was expected to be released that same day under Texas law.
Eric Perez was known for his unwavering dedication to his work in the oil fields and for being a devoted father to his daughter. Described as kind, hardworking, and quiet, Eric was not someone with a criminal record or history of trouble. His death has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, where friends, family, and neighbors are demanding accountability.
“This should have never happened,” a family member shared. “He wasn’t even supposed to be there that long. Now he’s gone, and we still don’t know why.”
The family is pleading for transparency from law enforcement and jail officials as they wait for results from the investigation. Meanwhile, they are asking for prayers, support, and any assistance the public can offer during this time of immense grief.
A GoFundMe page and local donation drives have been launched to help cover funeral expenses and support Eric’s young daughter, who now faces a future without her father.
Please share Eric’s story. Ask questions. Demand answers. A family is broken, a child is without her father, and a community is left with silence where there should be justice.
Pray for the Perez family. Help if you can. They need all of us now more than ever.
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