Houston steakhouse death prompts police review after man collapses and staff allegedly dumps body outside

Jessie Mobley Jr., 34, collapsed at KFFO Afro Steakhouse in Houston on Aug. 7, according to police records obtained by the Houston Chronicle. Authorities say staff members carried Mobley outside the West African restaurant and left him on the sidewalk near a local beauty school rather than calling 911 for medical assistance. The events, which Mobley’s family and friends describe as inexplicable and deeply troubling, have prompted a police inquiry that remains active as investigators await the medical examiner’s determination of the cause of death.

Andrea Arbelaez Sarrazola, a student at the beauty school near the restaurant, discovered Mobley the following morning. She found him collapsed against a wall, noted signs of decay, and observed ants on his ears. She contacted authorities, and the scene prompted questions about how the situation was handled in the hours after Mobley’s collapse.

The family of Mobley says the death has left them devastated and seeking accountability. “The way we seen him was horrible,” Renee Mobley, Mobley’s step‑mother, told the Houston Chronicle. “There were signs of decay.” Mobley’s father, Jessie Mobley Sr., and his step‑mother have since joined with other relatives in advocating for answers about what happened and why no emergency call was placed. They say they were notified of the death after the fact and are pursuing legal avenues after the medical examiner completes its work.

Houston Police Department spokespersons say the investigation remains open, and they will close the case if the medical examiner determines the death to be from natural causes. The ME’s office has not provided a timeline for a ruling, and the police have stressed that the ultimate determination will dictate how the case is categorized going forward.

A staff member at the restaurant told the Daily Mail that employees sometimes give free meals to people in need, though the outlet did not obtain a comment from police or the restaurant for further confirmation. The family’s relatives have said they want transparency amid conflicting accounts of what occurred in the moments after Mobley’s collapse and why no 911 call was placed at the time.

The restaurant, which specializes in West African cuisine, has come under scrutiny as details emerged about the treatment Mobley received after his collapse. A representative who spoke to the Daily Mail did not promptly respond to requests for comment. Authorities have indicated that the investigation will hinge on medical findings and any corroborating evidence from witnesses and surveillance video, if available.

Mobley’s relatives described him as a service-oriented, fun-loving person who faced several health challenges in his life. He reportedly endured an HIV diagnosis from birth and had been on therapy that kept the virus at undetectable and untransmittable levels in his blood. His family has also discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder and the stigma surrounding HIV, underscoring the broader human costs that can accompany health crises. They recalled his dreams of marriage and children and described him as someone who tried to live with dignity despite the obstacles he faced.

As the search for accountability continues, Mobley’s family has established a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses and related costs. His relatives say they are grateful for the community’s support but are counting on official conclusions to explain how such a situation could unfold in a setting that should have offered care and prompt assistance. Charlene Fogg-Drake, Mobley’s aunt, has also circulated memorials and candles in memory of her nephew, hoping the broader community will reflect on the events and demand that appropriate steps be taken when emergency needs arise.

The investigation intersects with questions about bystander intervention and the responsibilities of businesses and staff in potential medical emergencies. While investigators continue to gather information, the case has already drawn attention to the importance of timely emergency response and the moral obligations of those who may witness someone in distress. Community members have urged that anyone with knowledge of the events on Aug. 7 come forward, so the truth can come to light and families can begin to heal.

In Houston, as in other cities facing similar tragedies, authorities remind the public that calling 911 in a medical emergency is critical and can be a matter of life and death. The outcome of Mobley’s case rests with medical findings and the ongoing review by law enforcement, but his family’s push for accountability will likely shape the public conversation in the weeks ahead.