The Justice of the Peace pronounced him dead over the phone. Is that in the statute?
Here you go:
DEATHS CERTIFIED BY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER OR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Notify the medical examiner or justice of the peace for an investigation or inquest and cause of death certification if law enforcement or someone else has not already done so if any of the following circumstances exist [HSC 193.005, CCP Art. 49.04, CCP Art. 49.25 Sec. 6]:
• A body was found and the cause and circumstances of the death are unknown.
• The death is believed to be an unnatural death from a cause other than a legal execution (accident, suicide, or homicide).
• The death occurred in prison or in jail.
• The death occurred within 24 hours of admission to a hospital (refer to a medical examiner only CCP Art. 49.25 Sec. 6 (1) ).
• The death occurred without medical attendance.
• The physician is unable or unwilling to certify the cause of death.
• The deceased is under six (6) years of age.
The person conducting an inquest shall complete the medical certification not later than five (5) days after receiving the certificate and submit the record electronically [HSC 193.005]. The disease or condition(s) that initiated the events leading to death should be indicated on the medical certification. If the death was from external causes, state the means of death and whether the death was accident, suicide, or homicide. Complete other information as needed to properly classify the death [HSC 193.005(e)].