Mayo Clinic test positive for sickle cell trait in 2019 jail death

Robert Miller, 38, died on August 1, 2019, at John Peter Smith Hospital while in the custody of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

With ongoing questions by the media and his family concerning Mr. Miller’s death, Tarrant County sent blood samples to the nationally acclaimed Mayo Clinic for confirmation that Mr. Miller had sickle cell trait. The Mayo Clinic confirmed the cause of sickle cell crisis originally diagnosed by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office was due to sickle cell trait.

Concerning the County’s contract with Dr. J. Scott Denton, the intent was never to conduct a second autopsy but to provide consulting services for cases under the jurisdiction of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner. With the Mayo Clinic’s confirmation of sickle cell trait, no information was sent to Dr. Denton. Dr. Denton has not performed any services nor received any payment from Tarrant County.

Since this case is still under litigation, Tarrant County will not have any further comment.