FISHKILL, NY – A widow continues her quest for answers more than a year after her husband died under mysterious circumstances at Fishkill Correctional Facility. Debbie Camacho’s life was turned upside down on February 24, 2024, when she received a call notifying her of her husband Hector’s death, just hours after they had spoken on the phone.
The 52-year-old inmate was reported to have died suddenly, but Debbie was left questioning the official account. Correctional officers claimed to have checked on Hector throughout the night, observing him tossing and turning. However, Debbie found the accounts conflicting and difficult to believe.
While the autopsy attributed Hector’s death to a heart condition, Debbie remains unconvinced. She points to the unexplained injuries on Hector’s body, including facial marks, a broken neck, and wrist, as evidence that contradicts the natural cause of death. Her concerns are compounded by the fact that his death certificate still states the cause of death as undetermined, more than a year later.
Debbie’s attempts to obtain clarity from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision have been met with silence. Her inquiries about the investigation’s progress have gone unanswered, leaving her frustrated and without closure.
Having shared 38 years with Hector, Debbie struggles with the uncertainty surrounding his death. The memories and photographs she holds dear are a bittersweet reminder of the life they shared, now overshadowed by unanswered questions.
For Debbie, the lack of resolution is a daily burden. She longs for the truth about what happened to her husband behind bars, determined to uncover the reality that remains shrouded in mystery. Her pursuit of answers is fueled by love and a need to honor Hector’s memory.
The case highlights the challenges families face in obtaining transparency from correctional facilities and the emotional toll of unresolved deaths in custody. Debbie’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of institutional opacity and the enduring impact on those left behind.