Harris County suspect dies in custody weeks before trial

Nickie Costello, 40, died while in Harris County custody on Thursday, leaving the capital murder case against him unresolved weeks before his scheduled court date.

Costello was being held on charges of killing his parents, David Morgan and Juanita Costello, in October 2021. The Harris County Sheriff's Office confirmed he suffered a medical emergency on Thursday and was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. Paramedics pronounced him deceased shortly after 3:30 p.m.

The suspect was originally booked in 2021 after police found his parents stabbed to death in their Northside home. Juanita Costello operated a psychic business at the residence. Investigators later located Costello in a crashed vehicle near the scene, where he sustained a stab wound.

Records indicate Costello was set to appear in court in early December. His death has been reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which oversees facility compliance.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances of the death. The Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division is also reviewing the incident to determine if all applicable policies and procedures were followed.

The cause of death remains under investigation.