On December 25, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Del Rio Border Patrol Station encountered a male Mexican citizen near the Rio Grande River, approximately four miles west of Del Rio, Texas. The man informed agents that he was experiencing difficulty breathing and pain in his chest and left arm. Agents transported him to Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio for medical attention.
Upon arrival at the hospital at 6 p.m., medical staff determined the man was suffering from an active heart attack and stabilized him. A hospital watch was initiated by Border Patrol Agents and later continued by CBP contract personnel.
In the early hours of December 26, medical staff prepared the patient for air transport to Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio for advanced care. He arrived at 1:31 a.m., where he was sedated, intubated, and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Uvalde Border Patrol Station agents began a hospital watch as medical personnel noted complications including sepsis and low potassium levels.
At 3:02 a.m., the man went into cardiac arrest but was revived by hospital staff. However, efforts to stabilize him were unsuccessful and he suffered another cardiac arrest around 7 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 7:19 a.m. by an ICU doctor at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner took custody of the deceased individual and informed CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility that no autopsy would be conducted. CBP OPR is currently reviewing the incident and has notified the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), it is required to notify the public about such incidents under its policy on Notification and Review Procedures for Certain Deaths and Deaths in Custody as well as federal reporting requirements.
CBP describes itself as "America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency." The agency states that its workforce of over 67,000 personnel works to protect America across land, air, and sea; enforce safe travel and trade; support economic prosperity; enhance national security; and build trust through innovation, intelligence, and collaboration.
