Medical examiner: Arizona ICE detainee’s untreated tooth infection killed him

By: Gloria Rebecca Gomez

Outlets: Arizona Mirror

Published: May 14, 2026

Words: 800

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian asylum seeker being held in an immigration detention facility in Arizona, died from severe throat and chest infections that developed from an untreated tooth infection.

The preliminary report published by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Damas’ death was caused by complications from “necrotizing mediastinitis with neck and retropharyngeal abscess.”

Mediastinitis is a lethal chest infection and a medical emergency that requires immediate care. It causes …

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