An autopsy report released Wednesday by the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office has concluded that the death of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos, who died in early January while in the custody of ICE in Texas, was a homicide.
The report, obtained and shared by the Associated Press (AP), states that the 55-year-old Cuban died from "asphyxia due to compression of the neck and torso."
This finding directly contradicts the official narrative, which initially suggested a thwarted suicide attempt.
Lunas Campos passed away on January 3 at the Camp East Montana detention center, a large facility managed by private contractors on U.S. Army land at Fort Bliss.
For weeks, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintained that guards attempted to save his life following a self-inflicted attempt.
However, the autopsy reveals multiple signs of struggle on his body, including injuries to the neck, torso, and limbs, as well as hemorrhages associated with violent restraint.
Official Narrative Versus Witness Accounts
According to ICE, Lunas Campos was placed in solitary confinement due to "disruptive behavior" and attempted suicide there.
In a statement issued on January 9, the agency claimed that "staff observed the detainee in distress" and "contacted medical personnel," who unsuccessfully attempted resuscitation.
Yet, a witness cited by AP reported that Lunas Campos was handcuffed while at least five guards restrained him, with one placing an arm around his neck until he lost consciousness.
This account aligns with the autopsy findings, which document abrasions on the chest and knees, neck hemorrhages, and injuries consistent with physical restraint.
County Deputy Medical Examiner, Dr. Adam González, confirmed, "Witnesses saw Lunas Campos lose consciousness while being physically restrained by law enforcement."
Shift in Government's Explanation
After weeks of asserting a suicide attempt, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partially altered its stance following notification to Lunas Campos's family that the case would be ruled a homicide.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin then claimed the Cuban "violently resisted" during an attempted suicide, leading to his loss of breath and consciousness during the struggle.
With the forensic report now public, McLaughlin highlighted the deceased's criminal history, describing him as a "convicted child sexual predator."
Court records show Lunas Campos was convicted in New York in 2003 for sexual contact with an 11-year-old and in 2009 for attempted drug sales, leading to his detention by ICE in July 2025 for deportation purposes.
Lack of Transparency and Oversight
Camp East Montana has become emblematic of the opaque and dangerous management of migrant detention centers.
A $1.2 billion contract was awarded to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a company with no prior experience in prison management, with operations delegated to subcontractors whose performance has been heavily criticized.
It's unclear whether the guards involved in Lunas Campos's death were federal or private employees.
This ambiguity is crucial as criminal or civil liability stemming from the homicide may differ based on the custodians' status.
Additionally, the center's location on a military base like Fort Bliss could restrict local civilian authorities' jurisdiction to investigate the incident.
Concerning Pattern: Three Deaths in a Month
Geraldo Lunas Campos's death was not an isolated event. ICE reported two other recent deaths at Camp East Montana:
On December 3, 2025, Francisco Gaspar Andrés, a 48-year-old Guatemalan migrant, died, reportedly from liver and kidney failure.
On January 14, 2026, Víctor Manuel Díaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan, died in an apparent suicide.
Unlike the other cases, his body was sent to a military medical facility, raising further transparency concerns.
Democratic Representative Verónica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, demanded explanations from DHS and ICE's interim director and called for halting the deportation of witnesses.
"I reiterate my call to close Camp East Montana and terminate the contract with the managing corporation," Escobar stated on Wednesday.
Criminal Past and a Country Seeking His Removal
Lunas Campos arrived legally in the United States in 1996, part of a wave of Cuban migrants attempting to reach Florida by boat.
Settling in Rochester, New York, he was arrested in 2003 for sexual contact with an 11-year-old and in 2009 for attempted drug sales.
He also faced charges for weapon possession, robbery, and driving under the influence.
These offenses led to a final deportation order in 2005, though it couldn't be executed due to challenges obtaining travel documents from the Cuban government.
However, his family has defended his memory. Kary Lunas, his 25-year-old eldest daughter, claimed the sexual abuse charge resulted from a custody dispute:
"My father was not a pedophile," she declared. "He was a good father. He was a human being."
His ex-partner and mother of two of his younger children, Jeanette Pagán-López, confirmed that, despite his record, Lunas Campos always stayed in touch with his children and worked in a minimum wage furniture store job, the only employment he could find due to his background.
In his last family call, shortly after Christmas, he mentioned awaiting imminent deportation to Cuba and asked his children to visit him on the island to maintain their connection.
"He wasn't a bad guy. I just want justice and for his body to be brought here. That's all I want," Pagán-López said.
Key Questions on the Geraldo Lunas Campos Case
What was the cause of death for Geraldo Lunas Campos?
The autopsy report concluded that Geraldo Lunas Campos died from asphyxia due to compression of the neck and torso, ruling it a homicide.
How does the autopsy contradict the official ICE statement?
The autopsy findings contradict ICE's statement by revealing evidence of a violent struggle and restraint, while ICE initially suggested a suicide attempt.
What impact does the location of the detention center have on the investigation?
The detention center's location on a military base like Fort Bliss may limit the jurisdiction of local civilian authorities in investigating the incident.
Why was Geraldo Lunas Campos detained by ICE?
Geraldo Lunas Campos was detained by ICE due to his criminal record, which included convictions for sexual contact with a minor and attempted drug sales, leading to a deportation order.