Venezuelan man on immigration hold dies on transport bus in Irwin County
GBI investigating death of detainee at Irwin County Detention Center
OCILLA, Ga. (WALB) — A man held at the Irwin County Detention Center died after suffering a medical emergency on a transport bus, WALB confirmed with the Irwin County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, July 14.
Officials identified the man as Jesus Manuel Arenas-Silva, a Venezuelan national who was being held on an immigration hold at the facility.
The sheriff’s office said Arenas-Silva had a medical emergency while on the transport bus, during which he fell. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) office in Perry is now investigating the incident, according to the sheriff’s office. WALB reached out the the GBI for further details, and we are waiting on a response.
Officials said they are waiting for the cause of death to be released.
WALB is working to learn more. Stay with us for updates on-air and online.
Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, Instagram and X. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.
Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.
