State investigates seizure death of prisoner

The man apparently had a seizure while in the shower. An autopsy will be performed, and state prison officials have opened an investigation.

By CARY DAVIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 1, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- State prison officials are investigating the death Sunday of a 21-year-old inmate at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.

Juan Cabezas, of Miami, apparently died of complications from a seizure, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Debbie Buchanan said.

Preliminary information suggests that Cabezas, who was serving 15 years for armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, suffered the seizure while taking a shower, Buchanan said. Another inmate noticed Cabezas on the floor about 8 p.m. and called for medical attention.

Prison medical staff started CPR, but they could not revive Cabezas. He was pronounced dead a short time later at East Pasco Medical Center in Zephyrhills.

Cabezas' relatives said Monday they were skeptical of prison officials' account of the inmate's death.

"He was a healthy boy," said sister-in-law Lisa Ruiz, who traveled Monday from Miami to the prison with Cabezas' mother in search of answers. "He had never had a seizure in his whole life.

"We're just so shaken up. We can't believe this happened. It's so strange that there has to be something more to this."

Buchanan said there was no evidence of foul play or violence.

"At this point it doesn't appear that there was anything suspicious," she said. "But we'll open an investigation and take a look at what happened."

An autopsy, to be performed in the next few days, may provide a clearer picture of Cabezas' final moments, Buchanan said. Investigators with the Department of Corrections will interview inmates and prison staff and issue a final report.

Officials at the prison, on U.S. 301 just north of the Hillsborough-Pasco line, declined comment Monday, referring all questions to Buchanan.

Cabezas' family is not ruling out the possibility that the inmate may have been involved in a struggle just before he died.

Cabezas had problems in the past with prison guards, Ruiz said, including several physical altercations.

Buchanan confirmed that Cabezas had been disciplined six times in the past year for violating prison rules. The offenses included unarmed assault, disrespecting a prison official, destruction of state property and disorderly conduct, Buchanan said.

Ruiz said her suspicions that Cabezas may have been involved in an altercation prior to his death were reinforced when the Pasco-Pinellas Medical Examiner's Office would not allow her to view his entire body Monday.

"They only let me look at his face," she said. "His eyes and his mouth were swollen."

Cabezas' family has hired high profile Miami attorney Ellis Rubin to investigate the inmate's death.

"We're looking at all the possibilities," Rubin said.

The family also is looking into a report that the prison's medical staff switched Cabezas' anti-depressant medication Sunday, Ruiz said.

Citing confidentiality, Buchanan would not discuss Cabezas' medical history.

Cabezas arrived at the Zephyrhills prison in late 1998 and was scheduled for release in July 2011, state records show.

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