Sandra Marina Kenley
Sandra Marina Kenley, 52, died on December 18, 2005, while held in immigration custody at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, Virginia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lists hypertensive cardiovascular disease as the cause of death. According to a lawsuit reported by The Virginian-Pilot in 2019, she had a large tumor scheduled for surgery and took medication for high cholesterol and blood pressure. The suit says she passed out in her cell in December 2005, died at a hospital later that day, and that it took 20 minutes for jail staff to respond after her cellmate called for help.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attributed her death to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, while her family's lawsuit says jail staff took 20 minutes to respond when her cellmate called for help.
Reported by: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (the agency that held her); lawsuit.
Lawsuit: Her family sued over her death at Hampton Roads Regional Jail, alleging that jail staff took about 20 minutes to respond when her cellmate called for help.