Trans Woman Beaten in ICE Custody Before Death, Says Autopsy

Roxsana Hernández Rodriguez, a transgender asylum seeker from Honduras, likely died after being beaten in Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May, according to a new autopsy report.

Hernández Rodriguez was in custody for nine days, first in a holding cell after being detained by US Customs and Border Protection, and then at the Cibola County Correctional Center in New Mexico.

While being held, Hernández Rodriguez (who was HIV-positive) developed “symptoms of pneumonia, dehydration, and complications associated with HIV,” according to ICE. She was transferred to Lovelace Medical Center, where she died.

The cause of death was preliminarily ruled as cardiac arrest, and an independent autopsy performed by forensic pathologist Kris Sperry concluded her death to have been caused by “severe complications of dehydration superimposed upon HIV infection."

Sperry also found bruising that was “indicative of blows, and/or kicks, and possible strikes with a blunt object,” along with injuries likely sustained from handcuffs. He stated it’s likely Hernández Rodriguez “endured physical assault and abuse while in custody.”

The autopsy was performed after the Transgender Law Center filed a “notice of wrongful death” claim as part of a plan to file a lawsuit on the behalf of her and her family.

Hernández Rodriguez spoke to BuzzFeed shortly before her death, explaining why she was seeking asylum in the US.

“I wanted to stay in Honduras but I couldn’t,” she said. “They kill trans people in Honduras. I’m scared of that.”

Nine other adults have died in ICE custody so far this year.