Cuban immigrant in ICE custody died of homicide, autopsy shows

An autopsy found that Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban migrant held at Camp Montana East, died of homicide by asphyxia after becoming unresponsive while physically restrained; ICE and DHS accounts differ from witness statements. Undetermined at this time.

An autopsy released Wednesday ruled the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos a homicide due to asphyxia. The 55-year-old Cuban migrant died Jan. 3 while detained at Camp Montana East in Texas. ICE said staff observed him in distress and that medical personnel initiated lifesaving measures, and DHS characterized the event as an attempted suicide. Witnesses told reporters he became unresponsive while being physically restrained by guards. Lunas Campos had been arrested in July and transferred to the facility in September after years living in New York. Known details: - The El Paso County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as asphyxia from neck and torso compression and ruled the death a homicide. - The autopsy report noted injuries the examiner described as consistent with physical restraint and recorded the presence of prescription medications and a history of bipolar disorder. - ICE and DHS statements said staff moved him to a segregated area and that medical staff responded; a witness account described guards restraining him when he became unresponsive. - Reporting says it is unclear whether the guards involved were government employees or employees of a private contractor, and no next procedural step was specified in the available reporting. Summary: The autopsy ruling that the death was a homicide contrasts with the initial agency accounts and with witness descriptions of the incident. Undetermined at this time.