Reports released after Mexican national died in Missouri jail under ICE custody

STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The death report for a man who died in a Missouri jail while detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been released.

Leo Cruz Silva, 34, died at the Ste. Genevieve County jail on October 4, 2025, while in the custody of ICE. The death report for Cruz Silva was released on February 6, 2026, 125 days after his death.

Congress requires ICE to release the reports within 90 days of an in-custody death, as outlined in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (2018).

On September 30, 2025, Cruz-Silva was arrested for public intoxication in Festus, Missouri, by the Festus Police Department.

Two days later, on October 2, it was noted by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) that another inmate said Cruz Silva would run through the pod, scream, hide, and appear frightened throughout the nighttime. The LPN said Cruz Silva did not present signs of distress at the time and notified the supervisory LPN.

The supervising LPN evaluated Cruz Silva, who denied suicidal or homicidal thoughts, denied medication use, and could not provide a full medical history. The nurse noted that he indicated having auditory hallucinations, and issued that Cruz Silva be on 15-minute checks.

Records show the supervisory LPN reviewed reports about Cruz Silva from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, which say he was suffering from paranoia and auditory hallucinations at the time of processing. The nurse then informed ERO Chicago of his current behavior, indicating a mental health crisis, and requested medical records and a higher-level provider.

ERO Chicago responded, stating that Cruz Silva denied mental health issues and medications during processing.

On October 3, an LPN reported that Cruz Silva was hiding under his bed and attempting to leave his cell when staff entered. It is reported that he was having audio and visual hallucinations at this time.

The LPN consulted a higher-level provider who ordered antipsychotic medications for Cruz Silva and planned to meet with him the following week.

On October 4, at around 3:20 p.m., it is reported that employees of Ste. Genevieve County Jail found Cruz Silva with a ligature around his neck. Reports state that jail staff immediately issued a “medical response to the cell,” entered the cell and removed the tie around his neck.

The jail staff said he was still warm and clammy, with blood in the corners of his mouth, but no detectable breath or pulse.

Reports say the jail staff then called for EMS, and started CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator.

At 3:23 p.m., EMS arrived and started life-saving measures.

At 3:47 p.m., Cruz Silva was pronounced dead by a Ste. Genevieve County EMS Paramedic.

Cruz Silva was the second person to die in Missouri while in ICE custody in 2025. The first death was at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, on April 8.