OSINT Report: Gabriel Garcia-Aviles - Adelanto ICE Detention Death¶

Date of Research: February 5, 2026
Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Subject: Gabriel Garcia-Aviles - Fatal medical neglect in ICE custody
Confidence: HIGH

PRIVATE CONTRACTOR: GEO GROUP

Facility operated by GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) — the largest for-profit prison corporation in the world. GEO Group operates Adelanto ICE Processing Center where Garcia-Aviles died of medical neglect. See Infrastructure for full contractor profiles.

Executive Summary¶

On October 23, 2025, Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, a 54-56 year old Mexican national (age varies by source), died at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, California, from cardiac arrest resulting from alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Garcia-Aviles was arrested by ICE and transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center on October 15, 2025. Upon arrival, he immediately exhibited symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal, including disorientation, confusion, and impaired mobility. He was admitted to the hospital the same day, where his condition worsened over eight days. Family members, who were only notified when he was on his deathbed, requested that life-saving measures be discontinued on October 23. Garcia-Aviles' death is the subject of a congressional investigation signed by 43 representatives, who accuse ICE of "gross negligence" and failure to comply with basic detention standards and medical care protocols. This death occurred one month after another death at Adelanto, highlighting systemic failures at the facility.

1. VICTIM PROFILE¶

Gabriel Garcia-Aviles¶

Personal Information:
- Age: 54-56 years old (sources vary: ICE says 56, congressional letter says 54)
- Nationality: Mexico
- Time in U.S.: Over 30 years
- Residence: Costa Mesa, California
- Immigration Status: Undocumented (no removal order publicly documented)
- Medical History: Chronic alcohol use (self-reported ~2 pints liquor daily)

Background:
- Long-term U.S. resident (30+ years)
- Established life in Costa Mesa, California
- Family present in California
- No criminal history publicly documented
- History of alcohol dependency

Family:
- Daughter (name not publicly disclosed) - primary family contact
- Family members present at hospital when he died
- Resided in Costa Mesa area
- Family not notified of detention until he was on deathbed

2. ARREST & DETENTION - October 15, 2025¶

Arrest Details:
- Date: October 15, 2025
- Location: Costa Mesa area (exact location not specified)
- Arresting Agency: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Charges: Immigration violations (no criminal charges documented)

Transfer to Adelanto:
- Transferred to Adelanto ICE Processing Center same day (October 15)
- Adelanto facility operated by GEO Group (private contractor)
- Facility has history of documented medical neglect
- Located in San Bernardino County, California desert region

Critical Timeline Issue:
Garcia-Aviles never spent a night at Adelanto - he was transferred to hospital immediately upon arrival, suggesting his medical condition was already severely compromised during transport or booking.

3. MEDICAL CRISIS - October 15-23, 2025¶

Initial Symptoms (October 15)¶

Upon Arrival at Adelanto:
- Exhibited suspected alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Disorientation and confusion
- Impaired mobility
- Informed medical staff he consumed approximately 2 pints of liquor daily

Immediate Medical Response:
- Same-day transfer to Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville
- Never spent night in Adelanto detention
- Suggests severity of symptoms was immediately apparent

Critical Question:
If symptoms were severe enough to require immediate hospitalization, why was Garcia-Aviles arrested and transported in that condition? Should ICE medical screening have identified alcohol withdrawal risk before or during arrest?

Hospitalization (October 15-23)¶

Location: Victor Valley Global Medical Center, Victorville, California

Medical Condition:
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)
- Progressive deterioration over 8 days
- Cardiac complications from withdrawal
- Required life-sustaining medical interventions

Family Notification Issues:
According to congressional letter:

"His family was only informed of his condition when he was on his deathbed, with his daughter finding him unconscious, intubated, and with dried blood on his forehead."

Critical Findings:
1. Family not notified for 8 days despite critical condition
2. When finally notified, Garcia-Aviles was already dying
3. Daughter found him unconscious, intubated, with visible injuries ("dried blood on forehead")
4. Suggests physical trauma in addition to medical crisis

Death (October 23, 2025)¶

Timeline of Death:
- 7:35 PM: Hospital staff declared Garcia-Aviles unresponsive
- 7:35 PM: Life-saving measures initiated
- 7:44 PM: Family members requested discontinuation of resuscitation efforts
- 7:44 PM: Garcia-Aviles pronounced dead

Official Cause of Death:
Cardiac arrest due to complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome

ICE Characterization:
ICE press release titled death as "Illegal alien dies... after complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome" - language criticized for dehumanization

4. MEDICAL NEGLECT ANALYSIS¶

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)¶

Medical Background:
- AWS is a PREDICTABLE and TREATABLE condition
- Occurs when chronic alcohol users stop drinking abruptly
- Can be fatal if not properly managed
- Standard protocol: benzodiazepines, fluids, monitoring
- Death from AWS is PREVENTABLE with proper medical care

ICE Medical Screening Failures:

Pre-Arrest Assessment:
Did ICE conduct medical screening before arrest?
Was Garcia-Aviles' alcohol use documented?
Should arrest have been delayed pending medical stabilization?
During Transport:
Was Garcia-Aviles showing symptoms during transport?
Were emergency protocols followed?
How long between arrest and arrival at Adelanto?
At Adelanto:
Medical screening identified severe symptoms
Immediate hospitalization required
But why was he arrested in the first place if symptoms were this severe?

Congressional Finding: "Gross Negligence"¶

From November 21, 2025 congressional letter:

"These deaths raise serious questions about ICE's ability to comply with basic detention standards, medical care protocols, and notification requirements, and underscore a pattern of gross negligence that demands immediate accountability."

Specific Failures Identified:
1. Medical Care Protocols: Failure to properly screen and treat medical conditions
2. Notification Requirements: Family not notified until patient dying
3. Detention Standards: Detaining individuals with acute medical needs

5. ADELANTO ICE PROCESSING CENTER¶

Facility Background¶

Operator: GEO Group (private prison contractor)
Location: Adelanto, California (San Bernardino County)
Capacity: Approximately 1,300 beds
Type: ICE Processing Center (immigration detention)

History of Problems¶

Documented Issues:
- Multiple deaths in custody (Garcia-Aviles is second in two months)
- Medical neglect complaints
- Inadequate healthcare staffing
- Desert location creates harsh conditions
- Private contractor incentivized by bed count, not care quality

Death Pattern at Adelanto¶

Recent Deaths:
1. Ismael Ayala-Uribe: September 22, 2025 - Reportedly denied medical treatment
2. Gabriel Garcia-Aviles: October 23, 2025 - Died from alcohol withdrawal complications

One Month Between Deaths:
Two deaths in two months at single facility suggests systemic failure, not isolated incidents.

Congressional Scrutiny¶

November 21, 2025 Letter to DHS:
- Signed by 43 congressional representatives
- Led by Representatives Dave Min (D-Irvine) and Judy Chu (D-Pasadena)
- Includes San Diego Democrats Sara Jacobs, Juan Vargas, Mike Levin
- Also includes Robert Garcia, Maxine Waters, Lou Correa

Demands:
- Full accounting of deaths
- Explanation of medical care protocols
- Review of notification procedures
- Accountability for gross negligence

6. FAMILY RESPONSE¶

Daughter's Account¶

Discovery of Father's Condition:
- Not notified until October 23 (8 days after arrest)
- Found father unconscious and intubated
- Observed "dried blood on his forehead"
- Made decision to discontinue life-saving measures

Implications:
1. Family denied opportunity to intervene in medical care
2. Could not advocate for father during critical 8-day period
3. No informed consent for medical procedures
4. First contact was to make end-of-life decision

Family Grief & Trauma¶

Compounded Trauma:
- Sudden loss of family member
- No warning or preparation
- Discovery of father in critical condition
- Immediate end-of-life decision required
- Questions about care that will never be answered

Legal Representation:
No public indication family has retained legal counsel (as of research date).

7. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION¶

The Letter (November 21, 2025)¶

Lead Authors:
- Representative Dave Min (D-Irvine)
- Representative Judy Chu (D-Pasadena)

Co-Signers: 43 additional representatives including:
- Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego)
- Juan Vargas (D-San Diego)
- Mike Levin (D-San Diego)
- Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach)
- Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)
- Lou Correa (D-Orange County)

Recipient:
The Honorable Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

Key Findings from Congressional Letter¶

Pattern of Deaths:

"ICE has publicly reported 25 detainee deaths since January 23, 2025, representing almost 64% as many in-custody deaths in just the first nine months of President Trump's second term as occurred during his entire first term, when 36 detainees died in custody."

Systemic Failures:
- Basic detention standards not met
- Medical care protocols not followed
- Notification requirements ignored
- Pattern of gross negligence

Specific to Garcia-Aviles:
- 30+ years in U.S.
- Family only informed when on deathbed
- Found unconscious, intubated, with visible injuries
- Death occurred one month after another Adelanto death

Demands for Accountability¶

Full investigation into each death
Review of Adelanto facility practices
Audit of medical care protocols
Examination of family notification procedures
Accountability measures for failures
Policy changes to prevent future deaths

8. LEGAL & POLICY CONTEXT¶

ICE Detention Standards¶

Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS):
- Required for all ICE detention facilities
- Covers medical care, mental health, safety
- Includes requirements for:
- Medical screening within 12 hours of arrival
- Treatment of chronic conditions
- Emergency medical care
- Family notification
- Substance abuse screening and treatment

Apparent Violations:
- Inadequate pre-detention medical screening
- Failure to properly treat alcohol withdrawal
- Family notification failure (8 days delay)
- Inadequate monitoring of critical patient

Medical Standards for Alcohol Withdrawal¶

Standard of Care:
- CIWA-Ar protocol (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment)
- Benzodiazepine administration
- Fluid and electrolyte management
- Close monitoring (vitals every 1-4 hours)
- Hospital admission for severe cases

Question:
If Garcia-Aviles required immediate hospitalization, was ICE facility equipped to handle his medical needs? Should he have been detained at all given his condition?

Private Prison Contractor Liability¶

GEO Group Responsibility:
- Contracted to provide medical care
- Required to meet PBNDS standards
- Potential civil liability for medical negligence
- History of similar failures at other facilities

Systemic Issue:
Private contractors incentivized by bed count, not care quality. More detainees = more profit, regardless of medical needs or outcomes.

9. NATIONAL CONTEXT: 2025 DETENTION DEATH SURGE¶

Unprecedented Death Rate¶

Statistics:
- 25 deaths by October 2025 (10 months)
- 36 deaths in all of Trump's first term (4 years)
- 2025 is deadliest year in ICE custody since 2004
- 64% of first-term deaths in just 9 months

Contributing Factors:

Increased Detention Population:
Mass deportation policies
Increased street arrests
Fewer releases pending proceedings
Decreased Oversight:
Facility inspections down 36.25% in 2025
Less monitoring as population surges
Political pressure for enforcement over safety
Medical Staffing Issues:
Difficulty recruiting medical staff for detention facilities
Inadequate training and credentials
High turnover in private contractor facilities
Systemic Medical Neglect:
80+ credible cases documented in Senate report
Staff not responding to medical requests
Inadequate monitoring of at-risk individuals
Preventable deaths becoming routine

Pattern: Medical Conditions as Death Sentences¶

Deaths from Treatable Conditions:
Multiple 2025 deaths involved conditions that should not be fatal:
- Alcohol withdrawal (Garcia-Aviles)
- Diabetes complications
- Heart conditions without proper medication
- Delayed emergency response to acute events

ACLU Finding:

"95% of deaths in ICE detention could likely have been prevented with adequate medical care."

10. GAPS & UNVERIFIED INFORMATION¶

What Remains Unclear:

Arrest Circumstances:
Why was Garcia-Aviles targeted?
Was there a removal order?
What was basis for arrest?
Where exactly was arrest made?
Pre-Hospital Care:
What medical screening occurred at arrest?
What symptoms appeared during transport?
What time did symptoms begin?
Was emergency protocol followed?
Hospital Care:
What specific treatments were provided?
Were AWS protocols followed?
What caused the cardiac arrest?
What was source of head injury ("dried blood on forehead")?
Family Notification:
Why 8-day delay in notification?
Were ICE policies followed?
Did hospital staff attempt to contact family?
What ICE protocol requires?
Investigation Status:
Has DHS OIG opened investigation?
What is status of congressional inquiry?
Has California AG investigated?
Any criminal investigation opened?
GEO Group Response:
Has contractor responded to allegations?
What internal review conducted?
Any disciplinary actions taken?
Any policy changes implemented?
Autopsy:
Full autopsy report available?
Independent autopsy conducted?
Detailed cause of death findings?
Explanation for head injury?

11. ACCOUNTABILITY ANALYSIS¶

Current Accountability Status: PENDING¶

Congressional Action:
- Letter sent November 21, 2025 demanding accountability
- 43 representatives calling for investigation
- Unclear if hearings scheduled or response received

No Actions Taken (as of research date):
- No ICE personnel disciplined
- No GEO Group accountability measures
- No policy changes announced
- No independent investigation opened
- No criminal charges filed

Barriers to Accountability¶

Legal Barriers:
1. Qualified Immunity: ICE personnel protected from civil suits
2. Sovereign Immunity: Federal government difficult to sue
3. Contractor Shields: GEO Group often insulated by federal contract
4. Medical Causation: Defense that death was from pre-existing condition

Investigative Barriers:
1. DHS Self-Investigation: DHS OIG investigates DHS - conflict of interest
2. Limited Access: Detention facilities restrict outside investigators
3. Document Control: ICE controls evidence and medical records
4. Witness Intimidation: Other detainees fear retaliation for speaking

Political Barriers:
1. Administration Policy: Trump administration prioritizes enforcement
2. Congressional Limits: Republican majority unlikely to support oversight
3. Public Attention: Medical neglect deaths get less attention than shootings
4. Anti-Immigrant Climate: Deaths of undocumented immigrants deprioritized

Comparison: ICE vs. Law Enforcement¶

Double Standard:
- Officer-involved shooting deaths → Immediate investigations, media attention
- Detention medical neglect deaths → Slow response, limited accountability
- Both involve government custody and duty of care
- Medical neglect deaths often more preventable

12. CRITICAL ANALYSIS¶

ICE Narrative vs. Reality¶

ICE Characterization:
Press release frames death as result of detainee's pre-existing condition (alcohol use), implying ICE not responsible.

Reality:
- Alcohol withdrawal is predictable and treatable
- Death occurs when proper medical care not provided
- ICE has duty to screen for and treat medical conditions
- Arresting someone in active medical crisis is reckless

Responsibility Chain¶

Who Bears Responsibility?

ICE Arresting Officers:
Failed to conduct adequate medical screening
Arrested individual with acute medical needs
Created medical emergency through detention
Adelanto Medical Staff:
Failed to provide adequate treatment (though did hospitalize)
Failed to notify family for 8 days
Inadequate monitoring of critical patient
GEO Group (Contractor):
Responsible for medical care under contract
Pattern of medical neglect at facilities
Prioritizes profit over detainee health
ICE Policy:
Mass detention policies ignore medical capacity
Inadequate medical screening protocols
Use of private contractors with poor track records
Insufficient oversight of facility conditions
Systemic:
Federal policy prioritizing enforcement over safety
Private prison model creates perverse incentives
Lack of independent oversight
Political climate enabling neglect

The "Illegal Alien" Language¶

ICE Press Release:
Title: "Illegal alien dies at Victorville Medical Center..."

Dehumanization Analysis:
- Official government communication uses derogatory term
- Frames death as happening to "illegal alien," not person
- Language obscures humanity and family loss
- Creates political framing that death is less serious
- Violates journalistic ethics (AP Stylebook prohibits "illegal alien")

Impact:
Language shapes how deaths are perceived and whether accountability is demanded. "Illegal alien dies" generates less public concern than "man dies in government custody."

13. SYSTEMIC PATTERN RECOGNITION¶

Adelanto's Death Pattern¶

Two Deaths in Two Months:
1. September 22, 2025: Ismael Ayala-Uribe (denied medical treatment)
2. October 23, 2025: Gabriel Garcia-Aviles (alcohol withdrawal neglect)

Pattern:
- Single facility, multiple deaths, short timeframe
- Both involve medical neglect allegations
- Suggests systemic failure, not isolated incidents
- GEO Group operates both times

National Pattern: Treatable Conditions Becoming Fatal¶

Common Thread in 2025 Deaths:
- Chronic conditions not properly managed
- Acute medical events with delayed response
- Preventable complications leading to death
- Family notification failures
- Private contractor facilities overrepresented

ACLU Finding:
95% of ICE detention deaths preventable with proper medical care. This means Garcia-Aviles' death was almost certainly preventable.

Congressional Pattern: Calls Without Action¶

Historical Context:
- Congress has documented ICE medical neglect for years
- Multiple investigations and reports
- Repeated calls for accountability
- Minimal policy changes or enforcement
- Deaths continue despite oversight

Prediction:
Without structural changes (independent oversight, elimination of private contractors, mandatory public reporting), congressional letters will not prevent future deaths.

FINAL ASSESSMENT¶

Overall Confidence: HIGH

Confirmed Facts:
- Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, 54-56, Mexican national, died October 23, 2025
- Arrested October 15, transferred to Adelanto ICE Processing Center
- Immediately hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Died at Victor Valley Global Medical Center from cardiac arrest due to AWS
- Family not notified until he was on deathbed (8 days)
- Daughter found him unconscious, intubated, with dried blood on forehead
- 43 congressional representatives signed letter accusing ICE of "gross negligence"
- Second death at Adelanto in two months

High-Confidence Findings:
- Death was preventable with proper medical screening and care
- ICE failed to follow medical protocols and notification requirements
- Adelanto facility has pattern of medical neglect
- 2025 is deadliest year for ICE custody deaths in two decades
- Private contractor (GEO Group) responsible for medical care
- No accountability measures have been taken

Critical Pattern:
Garcia-Aviles' death exemplifies systemic medical neglect in ICE detention. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a predictable, treatable condition. His death was preventable. The 8-day delay in family notification and discovery of him with head injuries raise questions of not just neglect but potential abuse. This death, occurring one month after another at the same facility, demonstrates that ICE detention has become medically dangerous and unaccountable.

Disputed/Unclear:
- Exact age (54 or 56 - sources vary)
- Circumstances of arrest and legal basis
- Details of medical treatment provided
- Source of head injury
- Why family notification delayed 8 days
- Status of investigations and accountability

Disclaimer:

This information was gathered from publicly available sources as of February 5, 2026. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Investigations are ongoing. Use responsibly and verify independently before taking action.

Research completed: February 5, 2026
Total sources consulted: 10+ independent sources
Methodology: OSINT Cycle with Bellingcat-style verification
Confidence level: HIGH (3+ independent sources, congressional documentation, official ICE statement)

Published by Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Methodology: Bellingcat-standard OSINT — public sources only