SAIPAN – A man detained for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Corrections died early Saturday morning, the department announced Monday.
Lian Yong Wei was discovered by staff during routine checks in the early morning hours of August 23, the department said. Staff initiated an emergency medical response and Wei was transported to the Commonwealth Health Center, where he was pronounced dead. Corrections said it does not release protected health information, and the release does not state a cause of death.
The Department of Public Safety and what the release describes as appropriate investigative authorities have been notified, along with ICE, and the matter is under investigation, Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres said in the release.
Wei was initially brought in on charges of disturbing the peace, assault, assault and battery, aggravated assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon and an immigration violation, the department said. The release does not say when he was taken into custody or whether any of the charges resulted in a conviction.
The department said it takes the safety and wellbeing of everyone in its custody with the utmost seriousness, is reviewing relevant procedures following the incident, and will implement any necessary corrective actions to strengthen prevention and response measures. It extended condolences to Wei’s family and said further information will be released as appropriate as the investigation progresses.
