A former Texas special education teacher and children's party performer died of a suspected drug overdose just hours before he was supposed to be sentenced for murdering his wife in 2023, as the Daily Mail reports.

James Anderson, 36, collapsed inside a Houston courthouse Friday morning as he prepared to be sentenced to 35 years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal for the shooting death of his wife, Victoria Anderson.

Anderson, once a respected educator and entertainer known to children as “Mister Jazzz,” was facing justice for the killing of his wife inside their Kingwood home last year. The fatal shooting, which took place while the couple’s toddler son was inside the house, followed a disturbing call to 911 from Victoria saying her husband was threatening her with a gun.

According to the City of Houston, dispatchers heard a gunshot go off while Victoria was on the line, trying to report the threat. When officers arrived at the home, they found the couple’s child safe but covered in his mother’s blood. A SWAT team was called in, and Anderson barricaded himself inside for five hours before surrendering.

Educator lived double life

Anderson had been hired in 2022 as the Special Education Department Chair at Santa Fe Middle School, where he worked closely with special needs students. Besides his work in education, he ran a children’s entertainment business under the name “Mister Jazzz the Clown," performing at kids’ parties, parks, and libraries.

Archived business records show he managed the enterprise under both "Mister Jazzz” and “Mr. Jazzz the Clown,” offering balloon art and clown performances. In an archived biography from his school district, Anderson described a seemingly normal life, stating that he enjoyed time with family, gardening, and reading.

Everything changed in 2023 when the fatal shooting of his wife sparked public shock and sorrow. Victoria Anderson, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a gunshot wound. Authorities said the motive was unclear, but neighbors and family had previously reported disturbances at the home, and reports indicated the couple may have been in the midst of a divorce.

Authorities: Drugs ingested ahead of court appearance

On Friday, Anderson appeared at the Harris County courthouse, where he was expected to formally accept a plea agreement that would result in a 35-year prison sentence. He had been released on a $300,000 bond pending sentencing.

Moments after entering the courthouse, Anderson suffered what authorities called a “medical emergency." A court bailiff responded by administering naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, in an effort to revive him.

Anderson was transported to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead just after 11 a.m., according to officials. Constable Alan Rosen of Harris County Precinct 1 later stated publicly that Anderson had ingested drugs and posted a video showing law enforcement activity outside the courthouse that morning.

Domestic conflicts preceded murder

Victoria’s death highlighted prior issues in the couple’s household. According to law enforcement sources, domestic disputes had been reported at the residence before the fatal shooting. Information has since emerged suggesting the pair may have been pursuing divorce proceedings.

The couple’s three-year-old son was home during the shooting and was allowed by Anderson to leave the home unharmed during the standoff. Although the child was physically safe, responders reported that he was visibly covered in blood when they found him, an image that reinforced the deep trauma left in the wake of the crime.

The tragic series of events that followed -- the murder, the standoff, the postponed sentencing, and ultimately Anderson’s suspected overdose -- has left both legal investigators and the local community with lingering questions.

Lessons to learn

1. Domestic threats should always be taken seriously. Victoria Anderson’s 911 call reporting that her husband was threatening her with a weapon reveals how quickly domestic violence situations can escalate. Even when someone can reach out for help, tragedy can follow in mere moments.

2. Pay attention to behavior changes that may signal danger. Despite his outwardly cheerful persona as an entertainer and educator, Anderson may have been struggling behind the scenes. Friends, families, and coworkers should feel empowered to speak up if they notice disturbing or erratic changes in someone's behavior, especially in high-stress domestic situations.

3. Children in violent homes need urgent intervention. The presence of their young son during such a traumatic crime underscores the lasting emotional impact on child witnesses. Authorities, caregivers, and communities must prioritize both physical safety and long-term trauma support for these most vulnerable victims. While we can take steps to protect ourselves and others, it's crucial to remember that victims are never to blame for the crimes committed against them.

Why this story matters

This case has drawn attention not only for the disturbing nature of the crime but also for the shocking twist that followed as the accused died before sentencing. It highlights persistent issues around domestic violence, unrecognized mental health struggles, and the painful aftermath for surviving children.

The story is a sobering reminder for the local community and law enforcement that intervention must come early, and that justice may not always follow a straight path. The balloon artist persona may have hidden a much darker reality -- one that proved deadly for two parents and life-altering for the child left behind.