(STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY, MISSOURI) A 34-year-old ICE detainee from Mexico, identified by authorities as Leo Cruz-Silva, died by apparent suicide on October 4, 2025, at the Ste. Genevieve County Jail in Missouri. Jail staff found Cruz-Silva with a sheet tied around his neck in what appeared to be a suicide attempt. Staff started CPR immediately. Paramedics continued lifesaving efforts, but he was pronounced dead at 3:47 p.m. by Ste. Genevieve County EMS.
ICE officials said the death is under review. This is the second reported death of a person in ICE custody in the region in recent times.
Background: Immigration and Arrest History
Cruz-Silva’s case reflects the complex path many people take when they move back and forth across the United States 🇺🇸–Mexico 🇲🇽 border. According to authorities:
- He had a long history of entering the United States without permission.
- He was first arrested in Tennessee in 2010 and was ordered removed to Mexico in 2011.
- He was deported multiple times over the years but repeatedly returned to the U.S.
Those repeated entries complicated his immigration record and increased the likelihood of quick reinstatement and removal if apprehended again.
Events Leading to the Death
- September 30, 2025: Cruz-Silva was arrested by Festus Police for public intoxication.
- Following that local arrest, ICE placed an immigration detainer.
- October 1, 2025: Cruz-Silva was taken into ICE custody for reinstatement of a previous removal order.
In immigration practice, when someone previously deported is found again in the U.S. without permission, ICE can reinstate an earlier removal order. That process usually:
- Limits options for release and
- Can move quickly, especially after a recent local arrest.
Within days of transfer to the Ste. Genevieve County Jail—which holds both local inmates and federal detainees under agreement—he died in what officials describe as an apparent suicide. The phrase “apparent suicide” indicates an initial finding while allowing for formal conclusions after review.
The ongoing review will examine the full timeline inside the jail and the emergency response steps taken by staff and paramedics.
Conditions in Custody and Immediate Concerns
People with detention experience say the hours after transfer into custody can be extremely stressful. Detainees may:
- Face imminent removal,
- Be separated from family, and
- Feel they have limited options.
Released records so far do not describe Cruz-Silva’s mental state or whether he requested medical or mental health support. No further details about the investigation or additional circumstances were released as of October 9, 2025.
Officials report that staff responded quickly with CPR and called paramedics, who continued care before the county EMS pronounced him dead. The upcoming reviews by DHS OIG and ICE OPR are expected to consider whether required intake screenings and regular wellness checks were conducted as scheduled and whether any warning signs were documented.
Agency Response and Ongoing Review
After the death, ICE said it notified:
- The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG),
- ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), and
- The Mexican consulate.
Such notifications are standard when someone dies in ICE custody. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these notices typically trigger both internal and independent reviews that examine:
- Custody decisions,
- Wellness checks,
- Medical and emergency responses, and
- Compliance with policies and procedures.
For background on OIG’s role, see the DHS OIG website: Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Contacting the Mexican consulate is a consular requirement intended to:
- Ensure the person’s family can be informed,
- Allow the consulate to monitor the process, and
- Assist with communication and next steps (including family contact and arrangements after death).
ICE has said this is the second ICE custody death in the region in recent times. While full context on the earlier death was not provided, the recurrence highlights concerns that advocates and families often raise about health and safety inside detention, including questions about training, monitoring, and emergency response at local facilities holding federal detainees.
Legal Context and Questions Raised
Reinstatement of a prior removal order typically offers few pathways for relief. People in that situation usually face return to their home country unless they:
- Express a fear of harm and are referred for a screening, or
- Are able to pursue other limited legal avenues.
Available materials do not indicate whether Cruz-Silva raised any fear claim or sought legal counsel after his September 30 arrest. Without that detail, it remains unclear what legal steps, if any, were underway in the days before his death.
Advocates often call for improvements such as:
- Better mental health screening at intake,
- Easier access to phones to contact family or lawyers, and
- Stronger observation procedures for people who may be at risk.
Information Gaps and Next Steps
Officials have not released additional details on critical timeline elements, including:
- The length of time between wellness checks,
- The interval between discovery and EMS arrival, or
- Any prior requests from Cruz-Silva for medical or mental health services.
Typical in-custody death investigations often include:
- Detailed timelines,
- Camera reviews,
- Interviews with staff and detainees, and
- Medical record reviews.
VisaVerge.com reports such documents are usually part of investigations, but they are not yet available in this case. More detail may be released as DHS OIG and ICE OPR complete their reviews.
Important: This case underscores human, legal, and procedural concerns. A life was lost; it’s the region’s second reported ICE custody death in recent times; and it raises urgent questions for detention operators, ICE, local authorities, and communities.
Human Impact and Community Concerns
For families and community groups, the confirmation of an apparent suicide may lead to grief, calls for accountability, and demands for prevention measures. Common community concerns include:
- Difficulty locating loved ones when transfers happen quickly,
- Limited communication between local jails and families, and
- Rapid movement from city police holds into ICE custody.
The human story at the center remains clear: a 34-year-old man with a long immigration history—arrested locally for public intoxication on September 30, held for reinstatement of a removal order on October 1, and dead on October 4 at the Ste. Genevieve County Jail. As officials continue reviews, family members, community advocates, and authorities will likely seek clear answers about what happened and what changes are needed to prevent future tragedies.
This Article in a Nutshell
Leo Cruz-Silva, a 34-year-old Mexican national with a history of repeated unauthorized U.S. entry and prior removals, died by apparent suicide at Ste. Genevieve County Jail on October 4, 2025. Arrested Sept. 30 for public intoxication, he was transferred to ICE custody Oct. 1 for reinstatement of a prior removal order. Jail staff discovered him with a sheet around his neck, initiated CPR, and paramedics continued lifesaving efforts; he was pronounced dead at 3:47 p.m. DHS OIG, ICE OPR and the Mexican consulate were notified. Reviews will examine intake screenings, wellness checks, medical response timing, and compliance with detention protocols. Officials have not released details about his mental health or prior requests for care as of Oct. 9, 2025.
