EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso County Medical Examiner has officially ruled the death of 55-year-old Cuban migrant Geraldo Lunas Campos, who died at Camp East Montana, a homicide, according to an autopsy report obtained by KFOX14/CBS4.

According to the autopsy report, Campos’ cause of death is “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.”

“Based on the investigative and examination findings, it is my opinion that the cause of death is asphyxia due to neck and torso compression. The manner of death is homicide,” the autopsy report states.

The report states that Campos had sustained “scattered superficial abrasions” and had died after reports that Campos became unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement.

The autopsy revealed that there was neck compression and evidence of broken blood vessels in the eyelids.

“There was hemorrhage involving the strap muscles and connective tissues of the neck. Petechial hemorrhages were also noted in the eyelids and skin of the neck,” the autopsy report states.

According to the report, Campos also had a medical history that included bipolar disorder and anxiety.

Postmortem toxicology tests also detected the presence of trazodone and hydroxyzine in Campos’ system.

The homicide ruling comes after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Campos, a convicted felon, died Jan. 3 at around 10:16 p.m., at the detention center after suffering an undisclosed medical emergency.

Previous reporting by the Washington Post had cited a recording shared by Campos’ daughter, in which an employee from the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly told her that the preliminary cause of death was “asphyxia due to neck and chest compression.”

In a previous emailed statement to KFOX14/CBS4 regarding the Post’s reporting, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Campos attempted to take his own life.

“On January 3rd, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a criminal illegal alien and convicted child sex predator, attempted to take his own life while he was detained at the Camp East Montana detention facility. The security staff immediately intervened to save his life. Campos violently resisted the security staff and continued to attempt to take his life. During the ensuing struggle, Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness. Medical staff was immediately called and responded. After repeated attempts to resuscitate him, EMTs declared him deceased on the scene,” a DHS spokesperson said.

“ICE takes seriously the health and safety of all those detained in our custody,” a DHS spokesperson continued. “This is still an active investigation, and more details are forthcoming. ICE investigates the circumstances of all deaths in custody.”

KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to DHS via email regarding the official cause of death and has reached out to Campos’ family attorney via phone.

What Happened?

As KFOX14/CBS4 previously reported, Campos was the second death reported at the detention center.

At the time the death was reported, ICE said Campos had been disruptive earlier that day while waiting in line for medication and had reportedly refused to return to his room. As a result, ICE said they put Campos in “segregation,” where later staff from the detention center saw him in “distress” and called for on-site medical staff.

ICE stated that medical personnel from Camp East Montana tried lifesaving measures but eventually had to call emergency services.

However, according to the Post, two men had witnessed Campos’ death and had given their account, stating that guards at the facility had choked him to death.

Following the account, the Post reported that the Trump administration is seeking to deport the two men who provided the witness accounts.

According to court documents obtained by KFOX14/CBS4, a petition is being filed by Campos’ family to pursue the testimony of the two witnesses before the government removes them from the U. S.

In an emailed statement to KFOX14/CBS4 regarding the official cause of death, El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said, “Secretary Noem and Director Lyons have an obligation to provide Congress with a thorough briefing on the circumstances of the confirmed murder of a detainee at Camp East Montana. Witnesses claim staff killed the detainee; DHS must preserve all evidence – including halting their effort to deport the witnesses. I reiterate my call for Camp East Montana to be shut down and for the contract with the corporation running it to be terminated.”

Campos had been arrested by immigration officers on July 14, 2025, in Rochester, New York, and held at Camp East Montana since Sept. 6, officials reported. He had been in the country for 30 years, having reportedly entered the U.S. in 1996.

ICE stated that in March 2005, an immigration judge ordered his deportation; however, Campos was not removed because “the government could not obtain travel documents.”

ICE listed Campos’ convictions:

-Criminal possession of a weapon on June 8, 1998

-Petit larceny on May 5, 1999

-Unlawful possession of a weapon during a robbery on March 22, 2002

-Sexual contact with a child under 11 on Jan. 17, 2003

-Petit larceny on Oct. 14, 2005

-Petit larceny on May 25, 2006

-Reckless driving on June 8, 2006

-Possession of a controlled substance on Feb. 26, 2007

-Driving while intoxicated on Oct. 26, 2007

-Sale of a controlled substance on Feb. 17, 2009

Campos’ death comes after the first migrant death in Camp East Montana was reported on Dec. 3.

According to ICE, 48-year-old Francisco Gaspar-Andres died from natural causes, adding that medical professionals said he suffered liver and kidney failure; however, federal officials said his cause of death is pending.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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