Laurel man’s pleas for medical attention in ICE detention were ignored, lawyer says

A civil rights attorney representing the family of Julián Curo-Churata says he is investigating the cause of the 47-year-old’s death in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, telling The Banner that Curo-Churata’s pleas for medical attention were ignored until it was too late.

“We are investigating credible information that guards at Richwood Correctional Center ignored urgent requests for medical attention for Mr. Curo Churata,” attorney Max Schoening said in an email.

Schoening added that he wants to “hold accountable all those responsible” for Curo-Churata’s death.

Schoening’s firm represents Curo-Churata’s wife, Verónica Ramírez, and their 6-year-old daughter.

“My husband was a loving and caring father and a hardworking man,” Ramírez said in a statement to The Banner through her lawyer. “We want justice because he didn’t deserve to die like this.”

ICE did not respond to a request for comment regarding Schoening’s statements.

Curo-Churata, who lived in Laurel for 17 years, died Sept. 29 after being transferred to Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center. ICE has said that Curo-Churata was found in “medical distress” the night before and that he received proper medical care while in custody.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called for a “full independent investigation” into Curo-Churata’s death in a post on X.

Richwood Correctional Center has a history of alleged abuse and medical neglect.

In April, a Guatemalan-born woman detained at Richwood reported complications with her pregnancy and said she did not receive proper care. She was transferred to a hospital, and “in the presence of several federal guards, she delivered a stillborn fetus at about 23 weeks of pregnancy,” according to The Intercept. The agency said she “received prenatal care, including an ultrasound and OB-GYN visit,” but documents obtained by the outlet “show a lack of basic care needed for a healthy pregnancy.”

This is also not Schoening’s first interaction with Richwood. In October 2025, a federal jury awarded more than $40 million to the family of Erie Moore Sr., who died at 57 in 2015 after guards at the Monroe facility body-slammed him headfirst and fractured his skull. Schoening represented the family.

The cause of Curo-Churata’s death remains undetermined as the family awaits autopsy results.

Two GoFundMe accounts are assisting Curo-Churata’s family. One has raised nearly $17,000 of its $50,000 goal as of Friday afternoon. The loss for the family was described as “devastating,” leaving them “heartbroken.” Donations will be used to cover funeral expenses, the fundraiser said.

A second fundraiser, which has raised more than $8,500 of its $40,000 goal, is meant to help Curo-Churata’s son, Luis Curo, complete a bachelor’s degree in architecture.

“I am still trying to adjust to life without him,” Curo wrote. “My father was an important part of my life, and I hope to make him proud by completing my degree and pursuing my dreams.”

A vigil for Curo-Churata will be held Friday evening at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Laurel.

Banner reporter Antonio Planas contributed to this story.

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