A teacher passed away from a suspected drug overdose just before his sentencing for the murder of his wife. James Anderson was scheduled to appear in court to accept a 35-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal for fatally shooting his wife, Victoria, in 2023.
However, he experienced a medical emergency due to an overdose just before reaching the court. Medical personnel administered naloxone to counter the opioid overdose before he was taken to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at 11:05 a.m. on Friday.
According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Anderson suffered the medical emergency upon arriving at court, leading to the administration of naloxone by a bailiff. He was then transported to Ben Taub Hospital by the Houston Fire Department, where he passed away.
Authorities will conduct an autopsy following reports of drug ingestion by Anderson.
The former special needs teacher had fatally shot his wife in their Texas residence while their three-year-old son was present. He was arrested after his wife made a frantic 911 call reporting threats from him, followed by a gunshot during the call.
A significant police and SWAT team response ensued at their home, resulting in a five-hour standoff before his arrest. During the standoff, he allowed his young son to leave the property safely.
Police found Victoria with a gunshot wound upon entry into the house, and paramedics confirmed her death shortly after.
Although the motive for the shooting remains unclear, law enforcement noted previous reports of domestic disputes at the residence.
Anderson had been a teacher since 2022, holding the position of Special Education Department Chair at Santa Fe Middle School. Before his teaching career, he operated a clown business under the pseudonyms ‘Mister Jazzz’ and ‘Mr. Jazzz the Clown’, as indicated by business records.
This incident comes after an 80-year-old man allegedly shot and killed an 11-year-old girl in his neighbor’s house before confessing to killing his wife at home. Reuben Leonard from South Carolina is accused of murdering Ashly McFarland, his neighbor’s granddaughter, with an assault rifle on April 16 before 11 p.m.