CONROE, Texas -- Two men recently died from potential flu-related symptoms after being transported to a local hospital while in custody of the Montgomery County Jail. 

Although both men suffered from numerous other medical issues, it is possible that the flu also played a role in their deaths.

Mosheer Rashid, 42, died on the morning of Dec. 19, 2017. Rashid was originally sent to the infirmary on Dec. 11, where he was evaluated and later admitted to Conroe Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of Influenza A. Rashid died eight days later at the hospital.

Carl Bible, 36, died on Jan. 5, 2018. Bible was seen by medical staff complaining of difficulty breathing on Dec. 23, 2017. On Christmas Day, he was taken to Conroe Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment where he was admitted for Influenza Pneumonia and then moved to the Intensive Care Unit 10 days later. Bible died the following morning.

Even though both inmates’ deaths are not considered a death in custody by the Texas Attorney General’s Office an investigation was started by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail Administration, Homicide and Violent Crimes Detectives and the Texas Rangers. The investigations are ongoing.

Montgomery County  Sheriff Rand Henderson released the following statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Mr. Rashid and Mr. Bible. We take the health and safety of those entrusted to our care and those employees who work in our detention areas very seriously. As soon as any medical issues exceeds the ability of our medical care provider, we arrange for transportation to outside medical facilities that can provide more extensive testing and treatment.”