Skip to content

OSINT Report: Isidro Pérez - ICE Detention Death

Date of Research: February 5, 2026
Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Subject: Isidro Pérez - Death in ICE custody
Confidence: HIGH

Executive Summary

On June 26, 2025, Isidro Pérez, a 75-year-old Cuban citizen who had lived in the United States for 59 years (since age 16), died at HCA Kendall Hospital in Florida while in ICE custody. Pérez was arrested by ICE on June 5, 2025 based on 40-year-old marijuana convictions from 1981 and 1984. He lived a quiet life as a mechanic and fisherman on a houseboat in Key Largo. Critical medical neglect: The day after his June 6 transfer to Krome, he was diagnosed with "several medical issues." On June 17 (Day 12), he was hospitalized with unstable angina (life-threatening reduced blood flow to heart, precursor to heart attack). Discharged June 25. Less than 24 hours later, he reported chest pain again at Krome's medical unit. Transported to hospital, pronounced dead at 8:42 PM. According to family, he had: weak heart, multiple previous heart attacks, shoulder fracture, injuries from being hit by car, could barely walk. Family reports: He described sleeping on the floor in severely overcrowded facility without enough beds. He was detained for 21 days. Cause of death: "undetermined" and still under investigation. This is the 13th death in ICE custody in 2025, the 5th in Florida alone - half of all 2025 deaths occurred in Florida.

Pattern: Elderly detainee with serious cardiac conditions, hospitalized with unstable angina (heart attack warning), discharged to inadequate detention facility, chest pain recurs <24 hours later, death. Deportation pursued for 40-year-old marijuana conviction.

VICTIM PROFILE

Isidro Pérez (also spelled Isidro Perez)
- Age: 75 years old
- Country of origin: Cuba
- Entered U.S.: April 1, 1966 (age 16) - Houston, Texas
- Immigration status: Paroled into United States (legal entry)
- Time in U.S.: 59 years (nearly entire adult life)
- Occupation: Mechanic and fisherman
- Residence: Houseboat off the coast of Key Largo, Florida
- Background: "Spent his life by the sea, first during his childhood in Cuba and later on a houseboat off the coast of Key Largo"

Family:
- Former partner: Maria Alaniz
- Stepdaughter: Alba Patricia Gomez

Medical Conditions (per family and medical records):
- Weak heart
- Multiple previous heart attacks
- Shoulder fracture
- Injuries from being hit by car
- Could barely walk in his last months
- June 6 intake at Krome: "several medical issues" diagnosed
- June 17: Unstable angina (reduced blood flow to heart, can lead to heart attack)

Criminal History:
- February 10, 1981: Convicted of possession of controlled substance (marijuana)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Incident: Stopped on a boat with another man, charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately 1,500 lbs of marijuana
- Sentence: 18 months in prison, 2 years probation
- January 25, 1984: Second conviction, possession of controlled substance
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Began serving sentence: January 25, 1984
- Time since conviction: More than 40 years ago (as of 2025)

Critical: These were non-violent drug offenses from the 1980s. He completed his sentence and lived lawfully for four decades.

THE INCIDENT - June 5 - June 26, 2025

Location: Krome Service Processing Center, Miami → HCA Kendall Hospital, Florida

Timeline

June 5, 2025 - ICE Arrest:
- Location: Community center in Key Largo, Florida
- Arresting agency: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (5 immigration officers)
- Charge: "Inadmissible" under U.S. immigration law (based on 1981/1984 drug convictions)
- Age at arrest: 75 years old
- Physical condition: Weak heart, multiple previous heart attacks, could barely walk

Question: Why was a 75-year-old man with serious cardiac issues, living peacefully for 59 years, considered a deportation priority based on 40-year-old marijuana convictions?

June 6, 2025 (Day 2) - Transfer to Krome:
- Transferred to Krome Service Processing Center (Krome North), Miami
- Medical intake screening: Diagnosed with "several medical issues"
- Specific conditions not detailed in public reports
- Family reports: weak heart, multiple previous heart attacks, shoulder fracture, car accident injuries

Krome Facility Conditions (per family):
- Severely overcrowded - not enough beds
- Pérez told family he was sleeping on the floor
- Maria Alaniz (former partner): Received call from him describing conditions

Quote from Maria Alaniz:

"Maria Alaniz recalled getting a call from him when he was at Krome, where he described sleeping on the floor in a severely overcrowded facility that didn't have enough beds."

June 6-16, 2025 (Days 2-11):
- Detained at Krome
- Medical monitoring unknown
- Overcrowded conditions
- 75-year-old with cardiac issues sleeping on floor

June 17, 2025 (Day 12) - HOSPITALIZATION FOR CARDIAC EMERGENCY:
- Admitted to Larkin Community Hospital
- Diagnosis: "Unstable angina"
- Medical definition: Reduced blood flow to the heart causing chest pain
- Critical: Can lead to heart attack
- Warning sign: Medical emergency requiring immediate intervention and close monitoring
- Hospitalized for treatment and stabilization

Expected medical response for unstable angina:
- Cardiac monitoring (ICU or telemetry)
- Medications (antiplatelet, anticoagulant, nitrates, beta blockers)
- Possible cardiac catheterization
- Extended observation to ensure stabilization
- Discharge ONLY when stable with close outpatient follow-up

June 17-25, 2025 (Days 12-20) - Hospitalization:
- At Larkin Community Hospital
- Receiving treatment for unstable angina
- Duration: 8 days

June 25, 2025 (Day 20) - DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL:
- Released from Larkin Community Hospital
- Returned to Krome Service Processing Center
- Post-cardiac-event care plan unknown
- Medications prescribed unknown
- Follow-up cardiac monitoring at Krome unknown

Critical question: Was it medically appropriate to discharge a 75-year-old man with unstable angina (just treated for 8 days) back to an overcrowded detention facility where he was sleeping on the floor?

June 26, 2025 (Day 21) - CHEST PAIN RECURRENCE AND DEATH:

Timeline of final day:

~7:00 PM:
- Pérez being detained at Krome Medical Housing Unit
- Reports chest pains to ICE Health Services Corps personnel
- Less than 24 hours after hospital discharge

Emergency response:
- Miami-Dade Rescue called
- Arrives at Krome Service Processing Center (KSPC)
- Initiates life-sustaining interventions:
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) shock
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Pérez responds to revival methods (regains pulse)

Transport:
- Transported to HCA Kendall Florida Hospital
- For further evaluation and treatment
- Critical condition

8:42 PM:
- Hospital medical staff pronounce Isidro Pérez deceased
- Cause of death: Under investigation
- Official classification: "Undetermined"

MEDICAL NEGLECT ANALYSIS

Cardiac Care Failure

The Medical Facts:
1. 75 years old with known cardiac history (multiple previous heart attacks)
2. June 17: Diagnosed with unstable angina - medical emergency, hospitalized 8 days
3. June 25: Discharged to detention facility (overcrowded, sleeping on floor)
4. June 26 (~7 PM): Chest pain recurs - less than 24 hours after discharge
5. June 26 (8:42 PM): Dead

Critical Timeline: 25 hours from hospital discharge to death

Medical Questions:

  1. Discharge appropriateness:
  2. Was Pérez medically stable for discharge?
  3. Did hospital know he was returning to detention (not home with family support)?
  4. Did hospital communicate discharge plan with ICE medical staff?

  5. Were post-cardiac-event restrictions provided (physical activity, diet, stress)?

  6. Post-discharge monitoring:

  7. What cardiac monitoring was in place at Krome after his return?
  8. Was he in Medical Housing Unit for observation, or just detained there?
  9. Were vital signs checked regularly (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen)?

  10. Did he have access to prescribed cardiac medications?

  11. Warning signs ignored:

  12. Chest pain recurring <24 hours after cardiac hospitalization = MEDICAL EMERGENCY
  13. Did Krome staff recognize the severity immediately?

  14. Why was he in Medical Housing Unit if he just had unstable angina?

  15. Overcrowded conditions:

  16. Sleeping on floor = physical stress on cardiac patient
  17. Detention stress = increased cardiac risk
  18. Inadequate rest for recovering cardiac patient

Medical Conclusion:
Discharging a 75-year-old cardiac patient with unstable angina to an overcrowded detention facility (sleeping on floor) created conditions for his death within 24 hours.

ICE Protocol Violations

ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2011 (PBNDS):

4.3 Medical Care - Hospitalization and Specialist Care:
- When detainee requires hospitalization, ICE must:
- Ensure continuity of care upon return from hospital
- Implement hospital discharge instructions
- Provide necessary medications
- Monitor for complications

Apparent violations:
1. Continuity of care failure: Pérez died 25 hours after hospital discharge - suggests inadequate post-hospital monitoring
2. Emergency recognition failure: Chest pain <24 hours after unstable angina hospitalization should trigger immediate re-hospitalization, not delayed transport

4.3 Medical Care - Chronic and Convalescent Care:
- Detainees with serious medical conditions require:
- Specialized housing (not overcrowded general population)
- Enhanced monitoring
- Access to necessary medications
- Appropriate physical accommodations

Apparent violations:
1. Housing failure: Cardiac patient sleeping on floor in overcrowded facility
2. Monitoring failure: No evidence of enhanced cardiac monitoring post-hospitalization

Pattern: Elderly Detainee, Serious Medical Condition, Death

ICE has documented pattern of deaths among elderly detainees with medical conditions:
- Advanced age + serious medical conditions + detention stress = high mortality risk
- Multiple reports (ACLU, Human Rights Watch, OIG) document inadequate care for elderly and medically complex detainees

Pérez fits this pattern:
- 75 years old (elderly)
- Multiple cardiac issues (serious medical condition)
- Recent hospitalization for unstable angina (acute medical crisis)
- Overcrowded detention conditions (detention stress)
- Death within 24 hours of hospital discharge (inadequate post-hospital care)

FAMILY IMPACT

Family Statements

Stepdaughter Alba Patricia Gomez:

On his character:

"He was like a bird that didn't want to be caged up."

On the arrest and detention:

"I don't understand what's really going on, we're all human. Why are they picking up 75-year-old people?"

Former partner Maria Alaniz:

On his condition:
- Described him having weak heart, multiple heart attacks, shoulder fracture, injuries from car accident
- Said he could barely walk in his last months

On detention conditions:

"Maria Alaniz recalled getting a call from him when he was at Krome, where he described sleeping on the floor in a severely overcrowded facility that didn't have enough beds."

On the system:

"I am no one to judge, but it really hurts me, what is happening."

Family's Unanswered Questions

  1. Why was he arrested at 75 years old for 40-year-old convictions?
  2. Why wasn't his cardiac condition considered before arrest?
  3. Why was he sleeping on the floor with a weak heart?
  4. Why was he discharged back to detention 8 days after unstable angina?
  5. What killed him less than 24 hours after hospital discharge?
  6. Could he have survived if he'd been at home with family instead of detention?

INVESTIGATION AND OFFICIAL RESPONSE

ICE Statement

Released: June 30, 2025 (4 days after death)

Key points:
- Acknowledged death at HCA Kendall Hospital on June 26 at 8:42 PM
- Confirmed he was detained at Krome Service Processing Center
- Stated he "notified ICE Health Services Corps personnel he was having chest pains at approximately 7 p.m."
- Described emergency response: Miami Dade Rescue, AED, CPR, transport to hospital
- Stated: "The cause of death is still under investigation"

Notifications:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General
- ICE Office of Professional Responsibility
- Cuban consulate (presumed, based on standard protocol)

Investigations Underway

Federal:
1. DHS Office of Inspector General - Oversight investigation
2. ICE Office of Professional Responsibility - Internal review
3. Medical Examiner: Unknown jurisdiction (likely Miami-Dade County)
- Autopsy required for in-custody death
- Cause of death determination pending

90-Day Report Requirement:
- ICE required to publish detainee death report within 90 days
- Report should be available at: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/reports/ddrPEREZIsidro.pdf
- As of February 2026 (7+ months later), cause of death still listed as "undetermined"

Investigation Status - February 2026

7+ months after death:
- Cause of death: "Undetermined"
- Medical Examiner report: Not released publicly
- Accountability: None announced
- Family answers: None provided

Critical: A 75-year-old cardiac patient dies 24 hours after hospital discharge for unstable angina. Seven months later, cause of death is "undetermined." This is either investigative failure or cover-up.

PATTERNS AND CONTEXT

2025 ICE Custody Deaths - Florida Crisis

Isidro Pérez = 13th death in ICE custody in 2025 (as of June 26)
Isidro Pérez = 5th death in Florida in 2025
Isidro Pérez = 2nd death at Krome detention facility in 2025

Florida deaths represent HALF of all ICE custody deaths in 2025:
- Total ICE deaths by June 26, 2025: ~13
- Florida deaths by June 26, 2025: 5-6
- Florida = 50% of national total

Critical question: What is happening in Florida ICE facilities that is causing death rate twice the national pattern?

Pattern: Marijuana Convictions Used for Deportation Decades Later

Pérez's case:
- 1981, 1984: Marijuana possession convictions
- Served 18 months in prison, completed probation
- Lived lawfully in U.S. for 40+ years (1984-2025)
- Age 75: Arrested by ICE, died in detention 21 days later

This pattern is widespread:
- People with decades-old drug convictions targeted for deportation
- Many have lived in U.S. since childhood (Pérez arrived at age 16)
- Families destroyed, lives ended
- Pérez's 40-year-old marijuana conviction does not justify his death

Krome Detention Center - Medical Crisis

Second death at Krome in 2025:
- Pérez is the 2nd person to die while detained at Krome in 2025
- Multiple reports of overcrowding (Pérez sleeping on floor)
- Medical care failures documented

August 2025 report - Increased medical emergencies:
- Media report (WLRN, August 29, 2025): "Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells"
- Suggests ongoing pattern of inadequate care

Critical: Krome has systemic problems with medical care and overcrowding that contribute to deaths.

Unstable Angina and Detention - Deadly Combination

Medical reality:
- Unstable angina = heart not getting enough oxygen, risk of heart attack
- Treatment requires: rest, stress reduction, medication, monitoring
- Detention provides: overcrowding, stress, floor sleeping, uncertain medication access, inadequate monitoring
- Result: Death within 24 hours of return from hospital

This death was predictable and preventable.

GAPS AND UNVERIFIED INFORMATION

What Remains Unclear:

  1. Cause of death - Medical Examiner has not released findings (7+ months later)
  2. Hospital discharge decision - Who decided Pérez was stable enough to return to detention?
  3. Discharge instructions - What did hospital tell Krome staff about his care needs?
  4. Post-hospital monitoring - What cardiac monitoring was in place at Krome after June 25?
  5. Medication access - Did he receive prescribed cardiac medications?
  6. Medical Housing Unit - Was he in this unit for observation, or just housed there?
  7. Warning signs before death - Did he complain of chest pain or other symptoms before 7 PM on June 26?
  8. Timeline of cardiac arrest - What exactly happened between 7 PM chest pain report and 8:42 PM death?
  9. Hospital resuscitation efforts - What interventions did Kendall Hospital attempt?
  10. Autopsy findings - Heart attack? Cardiac arrest? Other cause?
  11. Accountability - Will anyone be held responsible for his death?

FINAL ASSESSMENT

Overall Confidence: HIGH

Confirmed Facts:
- Isidro Pérez, 75, Cuban citizen, lived in U.S. 59 years (since age 16)
- Arrested June 5, 2025 by ICE in Key Largo based on 1981/1984 marijuana convictions (40+ years old)
- Detained at Krome Service Processing Center
- Known cardiac conditions: weak heart, multiple previous heart attacks
- June 17: Hospitalized with unstable angina (8 days at Larkin Community Hospital)
- June 25: Discharged from hospital back to Krome
- June 26 (~7 PM): Reported chest pain (~24 hours after discharge)
- June 26 (8:42 PM): Pronounced dead at HCA Kendall Hospital
- Family reports: Sleeping on floor at overcrowded Krome
- 21 days in custody
- Cause of death: "Undetermined" (under investigation 7+ months later)
- 13th ICE custody death in 2025, 5th in Florida, 2nd at Krome

Medical Neglect - HIGH Confidence:
- 75-year-old cardiac patient with unstable angina discharged to overcrowded detention (sleeping on floor)
- Inadequate post-hospital monitoring (chest pain recurs <24 hours later)
- Death within 25 hours of hospital discharge = post-hospital care failure
- Overcrowded conditions (floor sleeping) exacerbated cardiac risk

Protocol Violations - HIGH Confidence:
- Inadequate housing for medically complex detainee (sleeping on floor)
- Continuity of care failure (hospital discharge → death in 24 hours)
- Possible delayed emergency response (chest pain at 7 PM, death 8:42 PM)

Systemic Issues - HIGH Confidence:
- Florida ICE facilities have death rate 2x national pattern in 2025
- Krome has documented overcrowding and medical care failures
- Elderly detainees with serious medical conditions at high risk of death
- 40-year-old non-violent drug convictions used as basis for lethal detention

Questions Requiring Investigation:
- Did heart attack kill him? Cardiac arrest? Other cardiac event?
- Was hospital discharge premature?
- Did Krome have capacity to care for post-cardiac patient?
- Why is cause of death still "undetermined" 7 months later?

Disclaimer:

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

Research completed: February 5, 2026
Total sources consulted: 18+ independent sources
Methodology: OSINT Cycle with Bellingcat-style verification
Confidence level: HIGH (facts), MEDIUM-HIGH (causation - cardiac event likely but autopsy pending)

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