# ICE Custody Death of Julian Curo Churata Sparks Investigation Demands Family and officials seek accountability after a 47-year-old man died in detention. - **Source:** [Latest news RSS](https://feeds.ibtimes.co.uk/feeds/bhsz8.rss) - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3f31e824-620e-400f-a009-bf2301599b7d ## Sudden Death in Custody Julian Curo Churata, a 47-year-old resident of Laurel, Maryland, died while in ICE custody on September 29, 2026. His wife, Veronica Ramirez, reported that he had been detained since June 27 for alleged immigration violations. The family received no prior notification regarding his health status or his transfer to a hospital facility. ## Medical Timeline and Records Correctional staff at Richwood Correctional Centre reported finding Curo Churata in medical distress on September 28. He was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center, arriving at 10:26 pm. Hospital records indicate he was lethargic and unresponsive, eventually succumbing to cardiac arrest caused by septic shock at 4:01 am the following morning. ## Conflicting Official Statements ICE released a statement on October 1 claiming Curo Churata received proper medical care during his detention. However, an official letter sent to his wife stated his cause of death was still being determined. As of October 20, the family remains without a final autopsy report or further communication from the federal agency regarding the incident. ## Legal and Civil Advocacy Represented by attorney Max Schoening of Qureshi Law, the family is now pursuing legal action to uncover the truth. Schoening alleges that the Richwood Correctional Centre ignored urgent medical needs, demonstrating a disregard for the detainee's life. Ramirez is demanding accountability and transparency from the authorities responsible for her husband's care during his final days. ## Congressional Calls for Action Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Glenn Ivey have publicly demanded a full independent investigation into the death. Van Hollen noted that Curo Churata was the 37th person to die in ICE detention over the past year. Both officials emphasized that the American public deserves transparency regarding deaths occurring within federal custody systems. ## Context of Immigration Detention The facility involved, Richwood Correctional Centre in Monroe, Louisiana, is a site where ICE holds individuals awaiting immigration proceedings. Curo Churata had been working with a permit that expired in 2024. His death highlights ongoing concerns regarding the quality of medical oversight provided to detainees held in private or government-contracted correctional facilities nationwide. ## Autopsy and Reporting Delays The Ouachita Parish coroner's office is responsible for conducting the autopsy to determine the official cause of death. As of October 19, the report remained incomplete, leaving the family in a state of uncertainty. This delay in reporting has fueled further criticism from advocates who argue that the current system lacks necessary oversight and accountability. ## Broader Systemic Implications The case of Julian Curo Churata underscores the intense scrutiny facing federal detention policies. With 37 deaths reported in one year, lawmakers are questioning the funding and management of these facilities. The demand for an independent investigation reflects a growing legislative push to reform how medical care is administered to individuals held in custody. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/maryland-man-dies-ice-detention-family-seeks-answers-1826861 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._