Ronal Romero
Ronal Romero lived for more than a decade in Missouri, where his family said he found a community of friends and worked long hours in restaurant management. His brothers described him as a hard worker who treated others well and was a good brother and friend. He was transferred to the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, in May 2018, fell ill the next day, and died in a hospital on May 16, 2018, while held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE said the cause was meningitis, with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis and sepsis and no evidence of trauma. A private autopsy found sepsis with meningitis, and an internal whistleblower memo called his care grossly negligent, while an ICE internal death review found the care appropriate.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). ICE says the death was from meningitis with diabetic ketoacidosis and sepsis and no trauma, while an internal whistleblower alleged grossly negligent care and a private autopsy found sepsis with meningitis.
Reported by: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (the agency that held him); internal whistleblower; private autopsy.