Heber Sanchez Dominguez (GoFundMe)
LOVEJOY, Ga. - Mexican officials are investigating the death of a Mexican national who died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta says.
What we know:
The consulate said the death happened on Wednesday at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Lovejoy.
Representatives notified the person's family both in the United States and Mexico to provide support as they remain in contact with the ICE Atlanta field office.
Once possible, the detainee's remains will be sent back to Mexico.
According to GoFundMe, the person who died is Heber Sánchez Dominguez.
Sánchez was arrested by Richmond County deputies on Jan. 7 for driving without a valid license or wrong class, no insurance coverage and failure to yield at a yield sign, the Richmond County jail confirmed. While in custody at the jail, ICE placed a hold on him.
What we don't know:
Officials have not released further information detailing the circumstances of the death. It is unclear when Sánchez was transferred from the Richmond County jail to the ICE processing facility.
What they're saying:
"The Government of Mexico expresses its most sincere condolences to the family of the national and reiterates its commitment to provide consular protection assistance to our community," a release from the consulate states.
Sánchez was a husband and father of two, according to his GoFundMe page. Funds gathered will be used to cover funeral and repatriation costs, as well as provide financial support to his family.
FOX 5 has reached out to ICE for more information on the situation.
The Source: Information in this report comes from a Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta release, the Richmond County jail and a GoFundMe page. FOX 5 has chosen to refer to the individual using Sánchez.