Mexican immigrant Leo Cruz Silva dies by suicide in Missouri jail during ICE custody after untreated mental health crisis
Oct 13, 2025·Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Country of origin: Mexico

Leo Cruz Silva, a 34-year-old Mexican national, died by suicide on October 4, 2025, in Ste. Genevieve County Jail while in ICE custody. Arrested on September 30 for public intoxication in Festus, Missouri, Silva was transferred to ICE custody on October 1 for reinstatement of a prior removal order. During his first days in custody, he experienced acute mental distress, including auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia, and attempts to leave his cell. On October 3, jail staff observed him hiding under his bed, and a medical provider ordered antipsychotic medications, though treatment was not immediately scheduled. On October 4 at approximately 3:20 p.m., jail employees found him with a sheet tied around his neck. Staff removed the ligature and began CPR; he was pronounced dead at 3:47 p.m. Silva had entered the U.S. without documents and had been deported twice between 2010 and 2025 before re-entering. His death was the second reported suicide in ICE custody in Missouri in 2025. On October 13, about 50 community members gathered for a vigil organized by Abide in Love Ste. Genevieve. The DHS Office of Inspector General and ICE Office of Professional Responsibility are reviewing the case, examining intake screenings, wellness checks, medical response timing, and compliance with detention protocols.
Timeline
Sources
- PBS
- These are the 17 Mexicans whose ICE-related deaths prompted Mexico to demand accountability
CNN·Jul 14, 2026·archived copy
- ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an 'alarming' rate, an AP investigation finds
news.net·May 28, 2026·archived copy
- Suicides among ICE detainees rising at ‘alarming’ rate
spotlightpa.org·May 27, 2026·archived copy
- Reports released after Mexican national died in Missouri jail under ICE custody
kfvs12.com·Feb 6, 2026·archived copy
- Vigil mourns Missouri man who died in ICE custody: 'Something has to be done'
KCUR·Oct 13, 2025·archived copy
- Death of Leo Cruz-Silva in ICE custody
- Man dies in Ste. Genevieve County in ICE custody; Second ICE death in Missouri for 2025
firstalert4.com·Oct 9, 2025·archived copy
- A second man dies in ICE custody at a Missouri detention center
stlpr.org·Oct 9, 2025·archived copy
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