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What to do if…
you are told a relative died while in custody and you do not know who to contact to confirm details

Short answer

Treat the message as unconfirmed until you verify it through official channels: the facility and the county coroner/medical examiner. Get a case/report number and a named point of contact before you do anything else.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t send money, gift cards, wire transfers, or personal/financial info to anyone who contacts you claiming there are “fees” to confirm a death or release belongings.
  • Don’t rely on social media, group chats, or a single unknown caller as proof.
  • Don’t agree to a recorded interview or sign anything while in shock; it’s okay to say you need a written callback process.
  • Don’t post names or details publicly until you’ve confirmed identity and next-of-kin status.
  • Don’t travel urgently based on an unverified call/text unless you’ve confirmed the facility and a legitimate contact number via an official main line.

What to do now

  1. Write down what you were told, exactly.
    Record: caller’s name/role, agency, phone number, date/time, the facility name, and any location details (city/county/state), plus any reference (booking number, inmate ID, incident number).

  2. Assume it could be false or a scam until verified.
    Do not call back the incoming number. Use the facility’s official website or government phone listing to find the main number.

  3. Figure out which type of custody it is (this changes who to call).
    Most commonly:

    • Local jail (often county sheriff)
    • State prison (state Department of Corrections)
    • Federal custody (Federal Bureau of Prisons facility or a federal detainee)
    • Immigration detention (ICE detention facility or ICE-managed custody)

  4. Call the facility using its main published number and ask for the right person.
    Ask for the watch commander/shift supervisor, duty officer, or Public Information Officer (PIO). Use simple wording:
    “I received information that [full name, date of birth] may have died while in your custody. I need to confirm whether this is true and who the official next-of-kin contact is.”
    Ask for:

    • confirmation they had custody of the person (or where they were transferred)
    • the incident/report number
    • the name/role/direct line (or extension) of the person assigned to communicate with family
    • where the person was transferred after death (often the coroner/medical examiner)

  5. Contact the county coroner or medical examiner for where the death occurred.
    Ask them to confirm:

    • whether they have a case for your relative (name + DOB)
    • the coroner/ME case number
    • how next of kin will receive updates and what they can share now
      If you don’t know the county, ask the facility: “Which county coroner/medical examiner office is handling the case?”

  6. If it may be federal or immigration custody, use the relevant official route as well.

    • Federal prison (BOP): ask the facility who the unit team/case manager contact is for next-of-kin notifications and what report number they can provide.
    • Immigration detention (ICE): use ICE’s official detainee death reporting information to identify the correct ICE contact route for confirmations and reporting.

  7. Confirm and correct next-of-kin contact details immediately.
    Say: your relationship, that you may be next of kin, and your correct phone/email/mailing address. Ask them to document it and tell you the next step for formal notification/identification in that jurisdiction.

  8. Ask what happens to personal property and how it is released.
    Request the property unit’s contact details and whether you need an appointment, ID, or paperwork. Ask for the process in writing (email is fine).

  9. Ask for written confirmation of your official point of contact and the reference numbers.
    Request an email with: agency name, staff name/role, main switchboard number, and the incident/case numbers. This helps prevent misdirection and reduces scam risk.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now about complaints, lawsuits, media, or advocacy.
  • You do not need detailed explanations immediately; early information is often incomplete and may change after formal review.
  • You do not need to make funeral decisions until you know who has authority over release and what paperwork is required locally.

Important reassurance

It’s common to feel disoriented and unable to think clearly after a sudden death notice—especially when custody is involved. For now, it’s enough to confirm the facts through official numbers and get one reliable contact person plus a case number.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to confirm a reported death in custody and find the right official contacts. Later steps (records requests, formal complaints, investigations, and support) may require specialist help.

Important note

This guide provides general information, not legal advice. In the USA, practices vary widely by state and county. If you cannot confirm something directly, treat it as uncertain and focus on obtaining official contact details and an incident/case number from the facility and the coroner/medical examiner.

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