LaToya Cantrell, who has served as the Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, since May 7, 2018, and is the first woman to hold the office, was married to Jason Cantrell until his death in 2023. The two met two years before their wedding and went on to build a family together, welcoming a daughter named RayAnn.
After Jason’s passing, the family faced financial difficulties linked to the debts he left behind. Reports indicated that he owed tens of thousands of dollars, leading a New Orleans bank to file a lawsuit over the unpaid balance. His father, who had acted as a guarantor or co-signer, ultimately became responsible for settling the debt.
The following sections look at how LaToya’s husband, Jason, died and other key details about their married life.
What Happened to LaToya Cantrell’s Husband, Jason Cantrell?
First Gentleman Jason Ericson Cantrell died on August 14, 2023, from a heart attack.
He had been dealing with health issues for years. Derwyn Bunton, former chief of the Orleans Parish Public Defender’s Office, said Cantrell took a health-related leave from his role as a contract attorney more than a year earlier.
“We just didn’t see him for a bit, and then he reemerged. He talked about how he was ready to get back to work in the courts,” Bunton recalled, describing him as a dependable colleague and a dedicated lawyer.
He Was an Attorney
Jason was born on June 25, 1968, in Detroit, Michigan, to the Honorable Harry Elmer Cantrell Jr., a retired Orleans Parish Magistrate Judge, and the late Lorita Ann Pettiway Cantrell, an educator.
He graduated from Bishop Borgess High School in Detroit before earning his undergraduate degree at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a Juris Doctorate at Southern University Law Center.
In 1996, he began his legal career at The Cantrell Law Firm and later established himself as a sole practitioner.
Debt and Legal Disputes After His Death
When Jason Cantrell died in August 2023, court filings showed he left behind significant debt. Succession documents listed only two vehicles—a 2002 Chevrolet and a 2015 Audi—valued together at about $16,000, and a family home valued at $250,000. The home carried a mortgage of more than $362,000, with the 2024 property tax bill still unpaid.
Among the debts were two loans from Crescent Bank totaling over $33,000 at the time of his death. Both had been personally guaranteed by his father, retired Orleans Parish Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell. The first, a $50,000 personal loan from 2009, still carried a balance of more than $27,000. The second, a business loan issued in 2019 for over $40,000, had about $5,900 remaining. Interest and legal fees continue to accrue as the bank seeks repayment from Judge Cantrell as guarantor.
Jason died without a will, and the succession remains open for claims. Court records also note that his daughter, RayAnn Cantrell, was allocated full ownership of any separate property, though none was specifically listed.
Their First Meeting and Wedding
LaToya met her future hubby, Jason, in 1997 at Houston’s Restaurant on St. Charles Avenue. Two years later, in 1999, they were married.
The couple shared a long marriage until Jason’s death in 2023. LaToya has continued to honor his memory publicly, including a Facebook post on the first anniversary of his passing titled “Honoring First Gentleman Jason Cantrell: One Year Later.”
LaToya Cantrell’s Daughter, RayAnn
On December 15, 2007, LaToya and her husband, Jason, welcomed their daughter, Miss RayAnn Wilder Cantrell.
Months earlier, in July of that year, LaToya had shared the news of her pregnancy with Jason while they were at Lil Dizzy’s restaurant in Treme, telling him they would be parents in six months.
RayAnn is now in high school and remains a central part of her mother’s life. LaToya often shares moments with her daughter on social media, including a post in December 2023 celebrating RayAnn’s 16th birthday. “Happy Sweet 16th Birthday to my precious daughter, RayAnn!,’ she wrote.
“Time flies, and I’m proud to watch you grow into the amazing person you are. Wishing you a day as beautiful and bright as you are. I give you ALL my love.”
