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Mexican day laborer found dead in Georgia ICE detention, family disputes suicide

Jan 15, 2026·Location: Lovejoy, GA

Country of origin: Mexico

Mexican day laborer found dead in Georgia ICE detention, family disputes suicide
Photo via WRDW

Heber Sánchez, a 34-year-old day laborer from Las Choapas, Veracruz, Mexico, died in ICE custody at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Clayton County, Georgia. He had been arrested in Atlanta on January 7, 2026 for driving without a license and transferred to the facility, where a guard found him a week later tied to his bunk with a rope around his neck; resuscitation attempts failed and he was pronounced dead. His family disputes that he took his own life and is demanding an investigation into why he did not receive adequate medical care. The Mexican Consulate has requested clarification on the circumstances and is coordinating to return his body to Mexico. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Timeline

Jan 15, 2026—Death reported publicly; autopsy ordered and Mexican Consulate seeks clarification while coordinating return of his body
Jan 14, 2026—Found dead in his cell, tied to his bunk, after resuscitation attempts failed
Jan 7, 2026—Arrested in Atlanta for driving without a license and transferred to Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility
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