Nenko Gantchev
Nenko Gantchev, 56, died on December 15, 2025, while held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at North Lake Correctional Facility, a privately operated facility in Baldwin, Michigan. He had lived in Chicago for three decades and owned a trucking business, and his family describes his health as deteriorating in the weeks before his death. ICE has said his death is suspected to be from natural causes, but the official cause is still under investigation. His family says they have received no answers, is seeking a private second autopsy, and believes his diabetes-related needs and a requested echocardiogram were not addressed before he died.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). ICE says his death is suspected to be from natural causes, but his family says they received no answers, is seeking a private second autopsy, and believes his diabetes-related needs and a requested echocardiogram were not addressed.
Reported by: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (the agency that held him); his family.