Cause of death revealed for man who died in Tacoma ICE facility
A 36-year-old man who was found unresponsive two years ago at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma died from a perforated ulcer, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Jose Manuel Sanchez-Castro of Yakima died on Oct. 27, 2024 while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, The News Tribune previously reported. He died from a perforated duodenal ulcer, and his manner of death was listed as natural, the office wrote in a news release.
Officials say Sanchez-Castro was a Mexican citizen, according to a Oct. 29, 2024 ICE news release.
The News Tribune reported that Tacoma Fire Department personnel responded to the center on East J Street at about 7:04 a.m. for an unresponsive person who was breathing. A radio traffic signal sent at 7:43 a.m. indicated the person had died. A Tacoma Police Department officer was then dispatched.
“All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care,” the ICE news release said.
At no time is a detained person denied emergent care at the facility, the release added.
The Seattle Times reported at the time a 911 call obtained by the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights showed the man was experiencing fentanyl withdrawal.
The ICE news release said that Sanchez-Castro was first arrested Aug. 19, 2009, by Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations after he entered the country unlawfully. A “voluntary removal” was performed later that month, but he was encountered eight times after reentering on separate dates from September 2009 to July 2024.
ICE said during that time Sanchez-Castro was convicted of illegal reentry twice in U.S. District Court in Arizona, in 2009 and 2012. He also had two convictions in Yakima County District Court, resisting arrest in 2011 and manufacture and delivery of amphetamine and/or methamphetamine in 2016.
