El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office

The El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office is responsible for investigating deaths within its jurisdiction, including those occurring in federal facilities like the ICE detention centers in and around El Paso, Texas. The office is currently newsworthy due to its findings in the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban immigrant who died in ICE custody on January 3, 2026. While ICE initially reported the death as a suicide attempt, the Medical Examiner's autopsy determined the cause of death to be homicide due to asphyxia. This finding contradicts ICE's initial account and a witness statement alleging a guard fatally choked Campos. The Medical Examiner's report is significant as it raises serious questions about the circumstances surrounding Campos' death and the treatment of detainees within ICE facilities, potentially leading to further investigations and legal scrutiny.