Texas Migrant Death Officially Classified as Homicide Following Autopsy Findings
The death of a Cuban migrant held within a Texas immigration detention facility has been officially classified as a homicide, according to a recently released autopsy report from El Paso county authorities. This ruling marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention to conditions within US immigration custody.
Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death as Asphyxia
Wednesday's autopsy report from the El Paso county medical examiner's office concluded that 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos died from "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression". Deputy medical examiner Adam Gonzalez confirmed these findings, which directly contradict initial official accounts of the incident.
The comprehensive report, which has been reviewed by multiple news agencies, also documented that Campos sustained injuries to his chest and knees. Furthermore, medical examiners noted the presence of petechial hemorrhages in his eyelids and neck – a telltale sign often associated with asphyxiation.
Contradictory Accounts from Witnesses and Authorities
Campos died on 3 January while being detained by federal immigration officials at Camp East Montana, a detention facility located near El Paso. In their initial statement following the incident, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Campos had "experienced medical distress" and that his death was under investigation.
However, witness testimony obtained by the Associated Press presents a starkly different narrative. According to these accounts, Campos was handcuffed while at least five guards physically restrained him, with one officer applying pressure to his neck until he lost consciousness. The autopsy report specifically references witnesses stating Campos became "unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement".
Legal Proceedings and Witness Protection
Attorneys representing Campos' family have taken legal action to prevent the deportation of two individuals they identify as crucial witnesses to the events leading to his death. In an emergency petition filed on Tuesday and subsequently granted by a federal judge, the legal team argued that these witnesses possess unique knowledge and independent eyewitness testimony essential for establishing what transpired.
According to ABC News reports, the petition stated that "the two witnesses appear to have unique knowledge and independent eyewitness testimony of the events at issue". The family intends to seek formal testimony from these individuals as part of their ongoing legal efforts.
Shifting Official Narratives
The Department of Homeland Security has provided multiple conflicting accounts of the incident. Their initial statement claimed Campos became "disruptive while in line for medication and refused to return to his assigned dorm", leading to his placement in segregation where staff allegedly observed him in distress.
However, following recent reports suggesting the death might be classified as homicide, the DHS altered its narrative. In a statement to the Guardian on 15 January, officials claimed Campos had attempted suicide and "violently resisted" guards who tried to assist him. Similarly, the Associated Press reported DHS claiming that "during the ensuing struggle, Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness".
Broader Context of Immigration Custody Deaths
Campos' death represents at least the fourth migrant fatality in US immigration custody since the beginning of the year. This incident follows 2025, which proved to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deadliest year in two decades with 32 recorded deaths in custody.
According to official ICE statements, the agency maintains that its detention standards "ensure that detainees are treated humanely; protected from harm; provided appropriate medical and mental health care; and receive the rights and protections to which they are entitled". The Guardian has reached out to DHS for comment regarding the published autopsy findings.
Campos, who entered the United States in 1996, had been arrested in July during an immigration operation in Rochester, New York. Official records indicate he faced charges including child sexual abuse, possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault at the time of his detention.
