Otay Mesa Detention Center: Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez, 43, Is Found Unresponsive in His Cell and Dies
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (October 24, 2026): Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez, 43, died in custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after staff found him unresponsive in his cell, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CoreCivic, the private company that operates the facility. KPBS and City News Service reported the death. ICE said the cause and manner of death are under investigation.
Facility staff saw Jimenez in his assigned safety cell at about 11:31 a.m. and tried to wake him when he did not respond, ICE said. Staff called a medical emergency and 911, and medical personnel began CPR, according to ICE. Paramedics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection arrived and continued lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the facility, according to ICE and CoreCivic. ICE said he had been taken into its custody in Escondido on October 9.
His wife told KPBS that he had no previous health conditions and that he leaves five children. The San Diego County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Monday, October 26, according to San Diego County Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre, City News Service reported. The supervisors called on ICE and CoreCivic to cooperate with the medical examiner and to preserve medical records, housing unit logs, staff rounds and video.
ICE and CoreCivic have not said why Jimenez was in a safety cell, when staff last checked on him before 11:31 a.m., or whether he asked for medical help in the days before his death. The medical examiner has not released a cause of death.
Liability for a Death at Otay Mesa Detention Center
When a federal employee’s negligent or wrongful act causes a death, the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), generally allows a claim for money damages against the United States in federal court. Otay Mesa is operated by a private company, and under California Civil Code § 1714 every person and business is generally responsible for harm caused by a failure to use ordinary care. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
- A safety cell: ICE said Jimenez was found in his assigned safety cell. Why he was placed there, and how often staff were required to check on him, are central questions in a custody death.
- Medical care in detention: His wife said he had no previous health conditions. Intake screening, sick call requests and medical visits after October 9 are records investigators typically review.
- A private operator and a federal agency: CoreCivic runs the facility for ICE. Who made each decision about his housing and care can affect which party may be responsible and under what law.
- County health inspections: San Diego County supervisors said a June inspection found problems with medical care at Otay Mesa. Whether those findings were addressed may matter in reviewing this death.
These are general principles of law. How they apply depends on what the medical examiner, ICE’s review and any other investigation show about Jimenez’s care in the weeks and hours before he died.
Steps to Take After a Death at Otay Mesa Detention Center
ICE has reported 29 deaths in its custody so far in 2026, KPBS reported, citing the agency. Families of people who die in immigration detention often struggle to get basic information, and our guide on what to do if a family member dies in custody in California explains the records that may be available.
- Contact the medical examiner: Call the San Diego County Medical Examiner to ask about the autopsy, the release of the body and how the family can receive the final report.
- Ask ICE and CoreCivic for records in writing: Request his medical records, sick call requests and housing records in writing, and keep copies of every request and answer.
- Save his calls and messages: Phone records, messages and letters from Jimenez may show whether he reported feeling sick or asked for help.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing: Speak with a lawyer before signing any document or giving a statement about the death.
Legal deadlines and notice requirements apply after a crash, injury or death, and they vary with the facts of each case, the location and the parties involved, including any public agency. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Investigating the Death of Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez at Otay Mesa Detention Center
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez. Two questions remain open: why staff placed him in a safety cell, and what checks and medical care he received from the time he arrived at Otay Mesa until he was found unresponsive.
If a loved one died or was seriously injured while in custody anywhere in California, our civil rights attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 29, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 24, 2026.
