HOUSTON – There has been another development into an incident that left a Harris County Jail inmate dead while in custody last year.
The family of Evan Griffin Lee said they now have his autopsy report confirming he was murdered.
Lee’s mother said the weight is finally being lifted off her shoulders. The hope now is that phones at Crime Stoppers of Houston begin ringing off the hook.
With new details and a new incentive, that could happen soon.
“Could you imagine being in a dark, dark tunnel and all of a sudden there’s light?,” said Lee’s mother, Jacilet Griffin.
The journey through that tunnel for Griffin has lasted more than 500 days. In March of last year, her 31-year-old son was fatally injured behind bars.
“Someone did that to Evan,” she said.
Even though Griffin said back in December, a Texas Rangers’ investigation revealed her son suffered blunt force trauma and ruled it a homicide, she said there were no answers, and seemingly no further investigation.
“A murder took place,” Griffin said.
Griffin never gave up, earlier this month elevating her concerns to Harris County DA Kim Ogg, then days later she finally got the autopsy report she’d been waiting for after more than a year. She said it confirms the Texas Rangers’ findings.
“It brings me so much joy to know that there are some facts now to take place and to move forward on some closure,” Griffin said.
With the new revelations come support from Crime Stoppers.
“Grief is intensified when justice is lacking, and sadly right now justice is lacking for this family,” said Crime Stoppers of Houston, Director of Victim Services, Andy Kahan.
The organization is looking for information from anyone who witnessed what happened inside the Harris County Jail at the time Lee suffered his deadly injuries. Anonymity guaranteed.
“If you’re concerned about “being called a jail house snitch,” you will not be called because we have no idea who you are. It doesn’t matter if you’re contacting us from the jail or a free world,” Kahan said.
While Griffin braces for answers, she is certain about one thing.
“I will continue, continue to get justice for Evan,” Griffin said.
If you know who killed Evan Griffin Lee, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
You could get up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and you are guaranteed to remain anonymous.
RELATED: Inmate death leads to sweeping bill for major changes inside Harris County Jail