Autopsy Rules Death of Cuban Immigrant in ICE Custody a Homicide

A newly released autopsy report has confirmed that Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban national, died of homicide by asphyxia while being held at the Camp East Montana detention facility. The findings, released by the El Paso County Medical Examiner, directly challenge initial government accounts of the January 3 incident.

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The Findings: “Neck and Torso Compression”

The forensic report provides a grim look at the final moments of Lunas Campos, who suffered from bipolar disorder. According to the medical examiner:

• Cause of Death: Asphyxia resulting from intense “neck and torso compression.”
• Physical Evidence: The body showed clear signs of trauma, including hemorrhages in the neck and chest abrasions.
• Biological Markers: “Petechial hemorrhages” (tiny spots caused by broken capillaries) were found in his eyelids—a classic indicator of mechanical suffocation.

Disputed Accounts: Suicide or Use of Force?

The autopsy has cast serious doubt on the official narrative provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Source	Claimed Sequence of Events
DHS / ICE	Guards were intervening to prevent a suicide attempt. They claim Lunas Campos “violently resisted,” and the physical contact was a life-saving measure.
Eyewitnesses	Fellow detainees report seeing five guards pinning Lunas Campos to the floor while he was already handcuffed.
Last Words	Witnesses claim Lunas Campos repeatedly shouted, “No puedo respirar” (“I can’t breathe”) before going limp.

Mounting Pressure on Camp East Montana

This marks the third death in two months at the Camp East Montana facility, a controversial “tent city” located on the Fort Bliss Army base. The homicide ruling has triggered a firestorm of criticism regarding:

1. Staff Training: Questions about whether guards are trained to handle detainees with mental health histories.
2. Accountability: Because the facility is on a federal military installation, there is a legal tug-of-war over whether local Texas prosecutors can bring charges against the guards involved.
3. Transparency: Advocacy groups are demanding the release of any available surveillance or body-camera footage from the segregation unit where the death occurred.