Brissa Lopez, 20
Pecos, Texas
July 29, 2015
Agencies: Pecos Police Department - Texas
Cause of death: Not Yet Known
Last updated: almost 4 years ago
Overview 
On July 29, 2015 at approximately 2:54 a.m. Officers of the Pecos Police Department were dispatched to 801 N. Cypress regarding a civil matter concerning child custody. Upon officer's arrival, they made contact with Mr. Cory Mata and his girlfriend Ms. Brissa Lopez. Mr Mata and Ms. Lopez are the parents of the children regarding the child custody issue. Officers advised the couple that at this point the custody of the children was a civil matter. Officers departed the scene. On July 29, 2015, at approximately 3:40 a.m. officers were again dispatched to 801 N. Cypress regarding a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived and discovered that Mr. Mata and Ms. Lopez had gotten into a physical fight with each other. Mr. Mata and Ms. Lopez were arrested for assault. Sergeant Martinez asked Ms. Lopez if she needed an EMT and Ms. Lopez stated no. Sergeant Martinez transported Mr. Mata and Officer Serrano transported Ms. Lopez to the jail. Both were released to the jail staff upon arrival. Ms. Lopez arrived at the jail at approximately 4:37 a.m. After the jail staff collected Ms. Lopez's personal belongings, she was searched and moved to a single holding cell, number D-58. Ms. Lopez was issued her jail uniform, and a plastic box containing her bedding and hygiene items. Jail Sergeant Ortega stated that Ms. Lopez was cooperative and even chuckling when asked to remove her tongue and lip ring. Ms. Lopez was not booked into the jail immediately because of six local inmates and five federal inmates that were ahead of Ms. Lopez in the booking process. At approximately 6:15 a.m. Ms. Lopez asked for a phone call. The jail staff informed her that she would be allowed her phone call when she was booked in. At approximately 6:53 a.m. Jail Sergeant Carrasco was passing out food trays when she opened the window to cell D-58 and noticed Ms. Lopez hanging with a bed sheet from a fire alarm cage on the cell ceiling. Sergeant Carrasco notified control and Jailer Nieto was nearby. Jailer Nieto held Ms. Lopez up while Sergeant Carrasco cut the bed sheet. Officers gave Ms. Lopez CPR until the paramedics arrived. Ms. Lopez was transported to the Reeves County Hospital with a faint pulse. The cell was sealed off by Officers and Department administration was notified. Texas Ranger Randy Lewis was contacted to investigate the incident. Ms. Lopez passed away on July 29, 2015 at 9:15 p.m. in Lubbock, Texas.
Community and Family Efforts
Additional Resources:
- https://www.gofundme.com/9s6xmcu8z4 added August 14, 2016 11:06
- https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/criminal/custodial/report_deaths.php added August 14, 2016 11:06
- http://texasjusticeinitiative.org/ added August 14, 2016 11:06