Fact Check: Cause of death for Noviello still under investigation by U.S. authorities
What We Know
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Detention Center in Miami. He was found unresponsive on a Monday afternoon and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter by the Miami Fire Rescue Department. Medical staff attempted to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator before calling 911 (ICE, NY Times). The cause of death is currently under investigation by U.S. authorities, as confirmed by ICE (CNN).
Noviello had entered the United States in 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. He was detained by ICE in May 2025 due to a conviction for racketeering and drug trafficking, for which he had been sentenced to 12 months in prison (ICE, NBC Miami). His death marks the 10th incident of a death in ICE custody in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees (NY Times).
Analysis
The claim that the cause of death for Johnny Noviello is still under investigation by U.S. authorities is supported by multiple credible sources. ICE has explicitly stated that the investigation is ongoing, and this information has been corroborated by news outlets such as CNN and the New York Times (CNN, NY Times).
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on immigration issues and government accountability. While ICE's own statements are a primary source of information, they are also subject to scrutiny, particularly regarding transparency and accountability in cases of in-custody deaths. The fact that the Canadian government is seeking more information further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing nature of the investigation (CNN).
It is important to note that the context surrounding Noviello's detention and subsequent death raises broader questions about the treatment of individuals in ICE custody, especially those with criminal convictions. However, the specific claim regarding the investigation's status remains factual and uncontroversial.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The statement that the cause of death for Johnny Noviello is still under investigation by U.S. authorities is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm that the investigation is ongoing, and ICE has publicly acknowledged this fact.
