Death by Cop  2021-2025

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John Robert Esler

Gender : Male

Age : 71

Race : White

Date : 06/04/2025

Location : Tampa General Hospital

City : Tampa

County : Hillsborough

State : Florida

Agency : Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Unknown

Event : Died in police custody

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On June 4, 2025, John Robert Esler, 71, died at Tampa General Hospital after being found in medical distress in his cell at the Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa, Florida. He was discovered shortly before 11 p.m. on June 3 and was initially treated at the jail's medical unit before being transferred to the hospital. His condition worsened, and he was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. the following day. Esler had been in custody since March 2024 on charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation of a person under 12. He had pleaded not guilty and was being held without bail at the time of his death. The Medical Examiner’s Office is determining the cause of death.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2025/06/04/hillsborough-deputies-investigate-inmates-death/