Detainee Dies at Otay Mesa; ICE Orders Autopsy and Probe
Local officials say the confirmed custody death exposes oversight and medical-care failures and must be answered with transparent reporting and inspections.
Overview
- CoreCivic staff found an unresponsive detainee in a housing unit and medical teams and EMS tried to resuscitate the person before they were pronounced dead at the facility.
- Authorities identified the detainee as 43-year-old Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez and said ICE was notified immediately and has opened an investigation with an autopsy planned.
- The death occurred on Saturday, Oct. 24, and has prompted San Diego supervisors to demand that ICE and CoreCivic contact the family and share investigation findings publicly.
- San Diego County officials have asked the county public health officer to review what follow-up inspections and public-health actions are allowed after prior visits found unreported tuberculosis and gaps in care.
- Advocates note the case adds to a recent rise in deaths in ICE custody and follows a California DOJ finding this year that Otay Mesa faced overcrowding, limited water and medical access, and other substandard conditions.