Costa Rican detainee Carlos Marchena dies at ICE's Winn facility in Louisiana
Family says missed insulin, meals and water preceded the diabetic man's death; ICE calls his care appropriate.
What to know
- Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena is the third detainee to die in under six months at Winn Correctional Center, and at least the 58th ICE detainee death since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
- His family and a fellow detainee say he missed insulin shots, meals and water while being transferred between facilities, worsening his type 1 diabetes.
- A June DHS Office of Inspector General inspection had already found Winn fell short of federal standards for medical care and other areas.
- ICE says his care was appropriate; LaSalle Corrections, the facility's contractor, says the death is under review.
“If they are under any stress, then they need even more care and then they need to test their blood sugar at regular times. If there isn't proper food and water, that is going to stress his system.”
Dr. Rajesh Garg, Head of diabetes unit, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · Associated Press (via Philadelphia Inquirer) ↗ · Sep 21
Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena 36-year-old Costa Rican detainee who diedU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Federal agency operating the detention systemLaSalle Corrections Private contractor co-managing Winn Correctional CenterScott Sutterfield Spokesperson for LaSalle CorrectionsDr. Rajesh Garg Head of diabetes unit, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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ICE and contractor LaSalle Corrections defend detainee's care
ICE said Marchena received proper medical care and was seen by professionals; LaSalle Corrections, which runs Winn with the Winn Parish Sheriff's Office, said the death is under review and declined further comment.
“Marchena received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals.”
— ICE -
A 36-year-old Costa Rican man whose family says he complained of missing insulin shots and meals to manage his diabetes is the third detainee to die in less than six months at an ICE facility in Louisiana.
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background
Family says Marchena went without insulin, meals, water — Marchena's sister, girlfriend and a fellow detainee told the AP he complained of missed insulin shots, meals and insufficient water as he was transferred between facilities, with his condition worsening after arriving at Winn; he is at least the 58th ICE detainee to die since Trump returned to office.
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Marchena found unresponsive, dies after hospital transfer — ICE said staff found Marchena unresponsive at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, began lifesaving measures, and transported him by ambulance to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
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background
DHS inspector general finds Winn facility violated care standards — An unannounced Office of Inspector General inspection reported violations at Winn Correctional Center covering medical care, food service, use of force and other areas, including improperly stored frozen food.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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2 outlets Costa Rican man complained of lack of care for diabetes before his death in ICE custody, family says
first by Independent UK, 1d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer