Second Opinion Same as First on Inmate’s Death

LONGVIEW — After seeking a second opinion on the autopsy report for Amy Lynn Cowling, 33, her cause of death was officially ruled seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawals. Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson ruled the manner of death undetermined. Jameson noted that he didn’t think there was any foul play involved. “Nothing was done improperly,” he said.

Cowling, of Gilmer, was pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m. on December 29 after she was found unresponsive in her Gregg County Jail cell. She was removed from the cell after hours of seizures said to be symptoms of withdrawal from methadone, former jail Cpl. Kashena Davis said at the time. Jameson, who pronounced Cowling dead at the hospital, said he sought a second opinion from a Tarrant County pathologist with Cowling’s autopsy results because the manner of death was left up to Jameson to decide and the cause of death was listed as “probable.” Jameson said his precinct was closing Cowling’s case at this time.