OSINT Report: Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez - ICE Detention Death¶

Date of Research: February 5, 2026
Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Subject: Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez - Death in ICE custody
Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH (conflicting official narratives)

Executive Summary¶

On February 23, 2025, Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez, a 44-year-old Dominican man, died at Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two conflicting official narratives exist: ICE claims he was detained on February 21 after a maritime interdiction for suspected narcotics/human smuggling and died 2 days later after reporting leg pain. However, the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute's NamUS report states he was found in a "boat accident" and transported to hospital where he died - making no mention of ICE custody, detention, or the 2-day timeline ICE claims. This discrepancy raises critical questions: Was he actually in ICE custody for 2 days, or did he die immediately after the maritime incident? What caused his death - leg pain complications or the boat accident itself? Why do official government records contradict each other? ICE also violated its own transparency policy by waiting 8 days (until March 3) to announce the death, rather than the required 2 business days. The cause of death remains "pending autopsy" by Puerto Rico authorities, and no local Puerto Rico media covered the death.

Fourth death of 2025. First death with directly contradictory official narratives.

VICTIM PROFILE¶

Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez
- Age: 44 years old
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Circumstances: Maritime interdiction (ICE narrative) / Boat accident (Forensic Institute narrative)
- Died: February 23, 2025 at Centro Medico Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Timeline Discrepancy:
- ICE Version: Detained Feb 21 → Died Feb 23 (2 days in custody)
- Forensic Institute Version: Found in boat accident Feb 23 → Transported to hospital → Died Feb 23 (same day)

THE INCIDENT - February 20-23, 2025¶

Location: Caribbean waters near Puerto Rico → Centro Medico Hospital, San Juan

ICE's Official Narrative¶

February 20, 2025:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations (CBP AMO) interdicts a vessel
- Vessel suspected of narcotics and human smuggling
- 5 people on board: 4 Dominican nationals + 1 Colombian national
- CBP notifies ICE of interdiction

February 21, 2025:
- ICE takes Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez and 4 others into custody
- Detention begins (ICE claims)

February 21-23 (ICE Timeline):
- Tineo-Martinez held in ICE custody (location unspecified)
- 2 days in detention

February 23, 2025 (Date of Death - ICE Version):
- Tineo-Martinez "alerted agents he was experiencing leg pain"
- ICE agents contacted local 911
- "Immediately transferred to Centro Medico Hospital for evaluation"
- "Unresponsive to treatment"
- Pronounced deceased at Centro Medico Hospital
- Time of death: Unspecified by ICE

ICE Key Claims:
1. Detained February 21 (2 days before death)
2. Reported leg pain while in custody
3. ICE called 911 and transferred him immediately
4. Died at hospital despite treatment

Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute's Narrative¶

NamUS Report Published: March 12, 2025
Reporting Forensic Anthropologist: Damara Guevara-Morales

Discrepancies with ICE narrative:

NamUS Report States:
- Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez found in "boat accident"
- Transported to Centro Medico Hospital
- Died on February 23, 2025 in San Juan

NamUS Report Does NOT Mention:
- Maritime interdiction for narcotics/human smuggling
- ICE custody
- Detention from February 21-23 (2-day custody period)
- Leg pain complaint
- ICE calling 911

Matching Elements:
- Date of death: February 23, 2025 ✓
- Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico ✓
- Hospital: Centro Medico ✓
- Name: Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez ✓
- Sex: Male ✓
- Age: 44 ✓

Critical Contradiction:
The Forensic Institute describes a "boat accident" with immediate transport to hospital and death the same day. ICE describes a 2-day detention period (Feb 21-23) ending with leg pain complaint, 911 call, and hospital transfer.

These cannot both be true.

CONFLICTING NARRATIVES ANALYSIS¶

Scenario 1: ICE Narrative is Accurate¶

If ICE's version is true:
- Tineo-Martinez detained Feb 21 after interdiction
- Held somewhere in Puerto Rico for 2 days
- Developed leg pain during detention
- ICE called 911, sent to hospital Feb 23
- Died at hospital from leg pain complications

Questions this raises:
1. Why doesn't Forensic Institute mention ICE custody?
2. Why does Forensic Institute say "boat accident" not "leg pain"?
3. Where was he held Feb 21-22?
4. What caused leg pain severe enough to kill within hours?
5. Why no mention of detention in official forensic records?

Scenario 2: Forensic Institute Narrative is Accurate¶

If Forensic Institute's version is true:
- Tineo-Martinez was in "boat accident" on Feb 23
- Immediately transported to Centro Medico Hospital
- Died the same day from accident injuries
- No 2-day ICE custody occurred

Questions this raises:
1. Why does ICE claim 2-day detention (Feb 21-23)?
2. Did ICE fabricate the timeline?
3. Was there actually no detention at all?
4. Did he die immediately after maritime incident, not 2 days later?
5. Why would ICE misrepresent the circumstances?

Scenario 3: Hybrid/Cover-up¶

Possible third explanation:
- Maritime interdiction occurred Feb 20-21
- Tineo-Martinez injured during interdiction or in custody
- ICE held him despite injury
- Condition worsened over 2 days
- Died Feb 23 from untreated injuries
- Forensic Institute records "boat accident" as cause (truthful - maritime incident)
- ICE narrative emphasizes "leg pain" and "immediate" response (defensive)
- Both technically accurate but obscuring critical details

This scenario suggests:
- He WAS injured in maritime incident
- He WAS detained by ICE despite injuries
- Medical care was delayed or inadequate
- Death resulted from untreated boat accident injuries
- ICE framing death as sudden medical emergency ("leg pain") rather than consequence of detaining injured person

MARITIME INTERDICTION CONTEXT¶

The Operation¶

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations (CBP AMO):
- Conducts maritime interdictions in Caribbean
- Uses aircraft and vessels to detect suspected smuggling
- Interdicts vessels in international and U.S. territorial waters

This Interdiction:
- Vessel suspected of narcotics and human smuggling
- 5 people aboard: 4 Dominican nationals + 1 Colombian
- Intercepted February 20, 2025
- Location: Not specified (Caribbean waters near Puerto Rico)

Standard Procedure:
1. CBP AMO intercepts vessel
2. Detains occupants
3. Searches vessel for contraband
4. Transfers detainees to ICE for processing
5. ICE determines immigration status, criminal charges

Risks of Maritime Interdictions¶

Physical Dangers:
- High-speed chases at sea
- Boarding operations (jumping between vessels)
- Use of force to stop vessels
- Rough seas, injuries during capture
- Dehydration, exposure if voyage was long

Medical Risks:
- Injuries during interdiction (falls, collisions, use of force)
- Pre-existing medical conditions from voyage (dehydration, malnutrition)
- Delayed medical care during processing
- Inadequate screening for injuries

Historical Issues:
- Multiple deaths during maritime interdictions
- Injuries from boarding operations
- Medical emergencies at sea
- Delayed treatment for injured migrants

MEDICAL QUESTIONS¶

"Leg Pain" - What Could This Mean?¶

Possible Causes of Fatal Leg Pain:

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) → Pulmonary Embolism
Blood clot in leg breaks loose, travels to lungs
Can be rapidly fatal
Risk factors: prolonged sitting (boat voyage), dehydration, trauma
Compartment Syndrome
Swelling/pressure in leg muscle compartment
Can occur after trauma/injury
Can lead to tissue death, kidney failure (rhabdomyolysis)
Fatal if untreated
Traumatic Injury
Fracture, crush injury, or other trauma during interdiction or boat accident
Can lead to bleeding, infection, shock
Fatal if major vessels damaged or infection develops
Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria)
Rare but rapid bacterial infection
Can develop from minor wounds in maritime environments
Rapidly fatal without aggressive treatment
Rhabdomyolysis
Muscle breakdown releasing toxins
Can cause kidney failure
We've seen this in Genry Ruiz Guillen's case (Jan 23, 2025)

Timeline Issue:
- "Leg pain" reported Feb 23
- Death same day at hospital
- Suggests either:
- Rapid progression (DVT/PE, compartment syndrome)
- Delayed recognition of serious injury from Feb 20-21 incident
- Pre-existing critical condition masked as "leg pain"

"Boat Accident" - What Happened?¶

Forensic Institute's terminology suggests:
- Physical trauma from maritime incident
- Not a medical emergency (like stroke or heart attack)
- Injury-based death, not disease-based

Possible "boat accident" scenarios:
1. Injury during high-speed chase/evasion
2. Trauma during boarding/interdiction by CBP
3. Vessel collision or capsizing
4. Fall or crush injury on boat
5. Use of force during apprehension

Critical Question: If there was a "boat accident," why wasn't medical attention provided immediately on Feb 20-21?

ICE TRANSPARENCY FAILURE¶

Policy Violation¶

ICE Policy on Death Notifications:
- Required to make public announcement within 2 business days of death
- Policy designed for transparency and accountability
- Allows families, media, and public to request information

What Happened:
- Death: February 23, 2025
- ICE announcement: March 3, 2025
- 8-day delay (6 business days)
- Violated ICE's own policy

Why This Matters¶

Delays allow:
- Evidence deterioration
- Memory fading of witnesses
- Media attention to dissipate
- Family to be kept in dark longer
- ICE to craft narrative without scrutiny

In this case:
- 8-day delay meant no immediate media coverage
- No local Puerto Rico media reported the death
- Family (if notified) had 8 days without public information
- Forensic Institute published NamUS report (Mar 12) AFTER ICE announcement (Mar 3)
- Suggests ICE may have wanted to control narrative first

PUERTO RICO MEDIA SILENCE¶

No Local Coverage¶

Significant:
- Death occurred in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Major hospital (Centro Medico) involved
- Maritime interdiction near PR shores
- Suspected smuggling case (normally generates media interest)
- ZERO local Puerto Rico media coverage

Why No Coverage?

Possibility 1: ICE Didn't Notify Local Media
- 8-day delay meant story was stale by announcement
- No immediate press conference or local notification

Possibility 2: Puerto Rico Media Didn't Prioritize
- Dominican death may not resonate with local audience
- Interdictions common in PR, not always covered

Possibility 3: Suppression
- Federal pressure not to cover?
- Hospital/officials told not to comment?
- Less likely, but 8-day delay + zero coverage is unusual

Impact:
- No public scrutiny of circumstances
- No local advocacy or investigation
- Family potentially unaware of details
- Conflicting narratives not challenged by local journalists

AUTOPSY STATUS¶

Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute¶

Current Status: Cause of death "pending autopsy"
Responsible Agency: Instituto de Ciencias Forenses de Puerto Rico

Timeline:
- Death: February 23, 2025
- NamUS report published: March 12, 2025 (17 days later)
- Status in report: Pending autopsy
- Current status (February 2026): Unknown - likely complete but not publicly released

Context - PR Forensic Institute:
- Has history of backlogs (investigated by lawmakers in past)
- Handles all forensic cases in Puerto Rico
- Autopsy results can take months to finalize
- May be delayed further for federal cases (ICE involvement)

Critical Questions Autopsy Should Answer¶

Cause of death: Natural, accident, homicide, or undetermined?
Leg pain origin: What medical condition caused leg pain?
Traumatic injuries: Evidence of boat accident injuries?
Timeline: Injuries consistent with Feb 20-21 boat incident or Feb 23 sudden onset?
Medical care: Evidence of delayed treatment?

If autopsy shows:
- Traumatic injuries consistent with boat accident → Supports Forensic Institute version, contradicts ICE "leg pain" framing
- DVT/PE or medical emergency → Supports ICE version, but raises questions about why described as "boat accident"
- Evidence of old injuries (2-3 days old) → Suggests injury occurred Feb 20-21, ICE delayed care
- Infection or untreated trauma → Suggests medical negligence during detention

PATTERN ANALYSIS - 2025 Deaths¶

Narrative Control Issues¶

Comparison to other 2025 deaths:

Maksym Chernyak (Feb 20):
- ICE: "Natural causes" (stroke)
- Reality: 40-minute 911 delay, staff negligence
- Expert disputes ICE characterization

Genry Ruiz Guillen (Jan 23):
- ICE: "Complications of schizoaffective disorder"
- Expert (Dr. Baden): "Mental illness is not a proper cause of death," rhabdomyolysis from restraint
- ICE autopsy attribution disputed

Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez (Feb 23):
- ICE: 2-day detention, sudden leg pain, immediate response
- Forensic Institute: Boat accident, transported to hospital, died same day
- Direct contradiction between official government records

PATTERN: ICE narratives consistently frame deaths as unpreventable medical emergencies. Independent medical examiners and forensic institutes frequently contradict these narratives.

Timeline Inconsistencies¶

Genry: "Comprehensive care" but died from preventable rhabdomyolysis
Maksym: "Immediate" 911 call but actually 40-45 minute delay
Juan: "Immediately transferred" but 2-day detention timeline contradicted by forensics

PATTERN: ICE emphasizes "immediate" response while evidence suggests delays and inadequate care.

INVESTIGATION STATUS¶

Federal:
- ICE internal review (standard protocol)
- DHS Office of Inspector General notified (standard)
- ICE Office of Professional Responsibility notified (standard)
- No independent federal investigation announced

Puerto Rico:
- Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute conducting autopsy
- Autopsy results not publicly released (as of Feb 2026)
- No Puerto Rico government investigation announced
- No local law enforcement involvement mentioned

Congressional:
- No congressional inquiry announced
- Puerto Rico has non-voting delegate in Congress (no Senate representation)
- Federal death in PR jurisdiction may complicate oversight

Media:
- Zero local Puerto Rico media coverage
- Limited mainland coverage
- Story documented by advocacy organizations (Kilómetro 0)

Advocacy:
- Kilómetro 0 identified the NamUS contradiction
- Latin Times documented death in broader pattern
- AILA tracking death in detention database

Family:
- Status unknown
- No public statements located
- Unclear if family aware of contradictory narratives

CRITICAL QUESTIONS¶

About the Conflicting Narratives¶

Which version is accurate? ICE's 2-day detention or Forensic Institute's same-day boat accident?
Why the contradiction? Miscommunication, cover-up, or different aspects of same event?
When was autopsy completed? Results should clarify timeline and cause
Will autopsy be made public? Or will it remain sealed?

About the Maritime Incident¶

What happened during interdiction? Use of force? Injuries? Boat collision?
Was Tineo-Martinez injured Feb 20-21? Did ICE detain injured person without adequate care?
Where are the other 4 detainees? What is their account of events?
CBP AMO report? Does Air Marine Operations report document incident details?

About Medical Care¶

What caused leg pain? DVT, trauma, compartment syndrome, infection?
When did symptoms start? Feb 23 (ICE claims) or Feb 20-21 (if injured in incident)?
Was medical screening performed? After interdiction, did ICE check for injuries?
Why did he die so quickly? Same day as hospital admission suggests severe condition

About ICE's Response¶

Where was he held Feb 21-22? ICE facility, vessel, other location?
Why 8-day delay in announcement? Intentional suppression or bureaucratic failure?
Why no local media coverage? Did ICE fail to notify PR media?
Was family notified promptly? Or did they wait 8 days too?

About the Investigation¶

Will autopsy results be released? Public has right to know cause of death in custody
Will NamUS report be corrected? If ICE version is accurate, Forensic Institute should update
Will ICE clarify timeline? Reconcile 2-day detention vs. same-day boat accident
Who is investigating the contradiction? DHS OIG, Congress, PR authorities?

ASSESSMENT¶

Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH

✅ Confirmed:
- Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez, 44, Dominican Republic
- Died Feb 23, 2025 at Centro Medico Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Maritime interdiction operation occurred Feb 20, 2025
- 5 people detained (4 Dominican, 1 Colombian)
- Cause of death pending autopsy by Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute
- ICE delayed announcement until March 3 (8 days later, violating 2-day policy)
- No local Puerto Rico media coverage

⚠️ DISPUTED - Two Conflicting Official Narratives:

ICE Version:
- Detained February 21, 2025
- Held in custody 2 days (Feb 21-23)
- Reported leg pain Feb 23
- ICE called 911 immediately
- Transferred to Centro Medico Hospital
- Unresponsive to treatment, died Feb 23

Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute (NamUS) Version:
- Found in "boat accident" February 23, 2025
- Transported to Centro Medico Hospital
- Died February 23, 2025
- No mention of ICE custody, 2-day detention, leg pain, or immigration enforcement

🔴 Critical Issues:
- Directly contradictory official government records
- ICE claims 2-day custody but Forensic Institute implies same-day incident/death
- "Leg pain" vs. "boat accident" - different descriptions of what caused death
- 8-day delay in ICE announcement (violated transparency policy)
- Zero local media coverage in Puerto Rico
- Autopsy results not released (11+ months since death)
- No independent investigation of contradictory narratives

Assessment: This case is highly suspicious due to contradictory official records. Either:
1. ICE is misrepresenting the timeline (detained injured person, delayed care, he died)
2. Forensic Institute is incomplete/inaccurate (failed to document ICE custody)
3. Both are partially true (boat accident occurred Feb 20-21, ICE detained injured person, condition worsened over 2 days, died Feb 23)

Most likely scenario: Tineo-Martinez was injured during the Feb 20-21 maritime interdiction ("boat accident"). ICE took custody of an injured person on Feb 21. Over 2 days, his condition deteriorated due to inadequate medical screening/care. On Feb 23, he reported severe leg pain (from untreated injury). ICE called 911, but it was too late - he died at hospital from complications of the original boat accident injuries.

This would explain why BOTH versions are technically true:
- Forensic Institute: Cause of death was "boat accident" (original injury)
- ICE: He reported "leg pain" and died in custody (symptom of underlying injury)

The contradiction arises because ICE frames this as a sudden medical emergency they responded to immediately, while forensics sees it as a boat accident death - obscuring the 2-day delay in adequate medical care.

Recommendation: Demand public release of autopsy results, independent investigation of contradictory narratives, interviews with 4 other detainees, CBP AMO incident report, ICE medical screening records, and explanation for 8-day announcement delay. If autopsy shows injuries consistent with boat accident, ICE must answer why injured person was held 2 days before receiving hospital care.

SOURCES¶

Official ICE Documents¶

News & Reporting¶

Advocacy & Documentation¶

Kilómetro 0 - Juan Alexis Tineo Martínez [KEY SOURCE - Documents NamUS contradiction]
AILA - Deaths at Adult Detention Centers

Research completed: February 5, 2026, 12:15 UTC
Status: Fourth 2025 death documented (4/31 complete)
Next: Brayan Garzón-Rayo (Apr 8, 2025) - 27, Colombia, Rolla MO jail, "apparent suicide"

Note: This is the first case with directly contradictory official narratives. Autopsy results and independent investigation are critical to determine truth.

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