Death of a Russian immigrant detained near San Diego was heart-related

Reporting from San Diego — The death of a Russian man who was in a San Diego immigration detention center was caused by hypertension and heart disease, the medical examiner has concluded.

Igor Zyazin was found not breathing in his bunk May 1 at the Otay Mesa Detention Facility, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement jail. Personnel at the facility tried to revive him until paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead while en route to the hospital.

The 47-year-old Russian national had been in ICE custody since April 24, when he was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. An ICE statement said Zyazin was trying to enter the country after being deported in 2009. The reasons for his deportation were not released.

At the time of his death, Zyazin’s case was pending and he was awaiting an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer. The ICE statement said he had no criminal record in the U.S.

The medical examiner said Zyazin suffered from aortic valve disease, which was a contributing factor in his death.

ALSO

Skydiving plane with 18 on board crashes in vineyard near Lodi

Victims’ families testify in death penalty phase of Grim Sleeper trial

Police seek charges of disturbing the peace against Chris Brown over ATV antics

[email protected]

Moran writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune