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 on Wednesday.

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.

What is in the autopsy report?

The autopsy 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 hemorrhages 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, which are medications used to treat depression and anxiety.

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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."

When reached for comment on the official cause of death, DHS reiterated to KFOX14/CBS4 that Campos had tried to take his own life.

KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to Campos' family attorney via phone for comment.

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 at the detention center 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 was filed by Campos' three children asking a federal court that the two migrants at the detention center who witnessed the incident not be deported.

The petition states that the family aims to pursue the testimony of the two migrants before the government removes them from the U. S.

Court records show that the request was granted, and both men are scheduled to give a deposition next month.

According to the documents, one of the men told the Post that he saw guards choking Campos, saying in Spanish that he couldn't breathe.

Additionally, the court documents show that Campos' three children are also planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

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. An autopsy obtained by KFOX14/CBS4 states that Gaspar-Andres died from complications of liver disease.

What are local leaders saying?

In an emailed statement to KFOX14/CBS4 regarding the official cause of death of Campos, 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."

El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson also spoke on Campos' death and increased ICE activity in the Borderland in a social media post on Instagram, calling for transparency and accountability.

The reported homicide at Camp East Montana is deeply troubling and unacceptable. There must be a full, independent investigation into the contractor operating the facility and the federal oversight systems responsible for ensuring safety and compliance. Transparency, accountability, and human dignity are non-negotiable values for our community. Recent immigration enforcement activity has also created understandable concern among families in our region. El Paso is a community built by immigrants, strengthened by diversity, and guided by compassion and the rule of law. Public safety is best achieved when residents feel safe accessing services, reporting crimes, and sending their children to school and work without fear," Johnson said. "The City is coordinating with community partners to ensure accurate information is shared and that families know where to find support. We will continue to advocate for humane, fair, and orderly immigration policies that respect due process and keep families together whenever possible.

He added, "El Paso has always led with dignity and humanity, and we will continue to do so while upholding the law and protecting our residents.”

In an email to KFOX14/CBS4, Savannah Kumar, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, also provided the following statement:

"We grieve the three lives already lost at this ICE detention center located on a U.S. military base. For months, we have interviewed people detained at Camp East Montana, who bravely spoke on the dangers they have experienced: beatings by officials, the denial of medical care, housing areas flooded with excrement, and inedible food that caused illness," Kumar said. "Our letter alerted the government to conditions at a breaking point. We continue to demand, urgently, that ICE and the Department of Defense stop this cruelty by ending the detention of immigrants at Ft. Bliss before additional lives are lost."

This story has been updated to include a statement from Johnson.

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