HARRIS COUNTY – The man accused of fatally stabbing his wife, a Katy ISD school employee, was found dead inside a holding cell Saturday morning, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Benjamin Pierce, 39, was found unresponsive inside his cell. Gonzalez wrote on Twitter that lifesaving measures were attempted.

Pierce was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no signs of apparent trauma or foul play.

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Gonzalez said Pierce was inside a single-man cell at the time he was found unresponsive. An independent agency along with Houston police will conduct an investigation.

Pierce was arrested Friday morning when deputies said he stabbed his wife, Katy ISD school employee Leslie Ann Pierce, multiple times inside their home in the 3200 block of Painted Meadow Circle.

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Pierce had called a family member and admitted to the stabbing, then called 911.

Investigators took Pierce into custody for questioning, at which at the time it was learned the couple had been arguing about divorce and child custody that morning.

in accordance with state law related to any jail-based death in custody, an independent agency will investigate; HPD wants to be the investigative agency. Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will conduct a medical examination. Pierce was arrested yesterday, accused of 2/3

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 21, 2022

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