DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. — More than a year after her husband’s unexpected death inside Fishkill Correctional Facility, a widow is still searching for answers—and justice.
Debbie Camacho’s life changed forever on the morning of February 24, 2024. She was getting ready to visit her husband, Hector Camacho, when she received a phone call that would shatter her world.
“I got a phone call a little after 11 a.m. They told me, ‘I’m sorry, we found your husband deceased in his cell this morning,’” she recalled. “I was stunned. I said, ‘What? That’s impossible. I just spoke to him.’”
Debbie says her husband, 52-year-old Hector, had sounded perfectly fine just hours earlier. He was in good spirits during their last phone call. His sudden death has left the Camacho family devastated—and filled with questions that remain unanswered.
A Death Surrounded by Doubt
According to correctional staff, Hector had been seen “tossing and turning” in his cell overnight. Officers claimed they checked on him several times before ultimately finding him dead in the morning. But for Debbie, the explanations simply don’t add up.
“The stories were inconsistent,” she said. “What they told me didn’t match the timeline or what I knew about my husband’s condition. Nothing made sense.”
An autopsy later cited a heart condition as the probable cause of death. But the Camacho family isn’t convinced.
“The manner of death is not matching up with his injuries,” said Deanna Camacho, Hector’s daughter.
“He had bruises all over his face,” Debbie added. “It was just horrible to see him like that. This doesn’t look like someone who just passed away in his sleep.”
No Clear Answers, No Closure
More than a year later, Debbie says she is still struggling to get basic information from authorities. The death certificate she received lists the cause of death as “undetermined” and “under investigation.”
She has contacted the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) numerous times for updates, but says she has received little to no information in return. CBS6 also reached out to DOCCS for comment on Hector’s death and the ongoing investigation but has yet to receive a response.
“It feels like they’re hiding something,” said Debbie. “I just want the truth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
A Lifetime Together, Torn Apart
Debbie and Hector had been together for nearly four decades—38 years of shared memories, hardships, and love. Their bond was strong, even with Hector behind bars. Debbie describes him as a man who was looking forward to the future and staying connected with his family.
“We had plans. We talked every day. He wasn’t depressed. He wasn’t sick. This just doesn’t feel right,” she said.
Now, that life has been ripped away, and in its place is only confusion, heartbreak, and an aching void that no explanation has been able to fill.
A Family’s Fight for Justice
For the Camacho family, this is not just about grief. It’s about accountability.
“I need to know what happened to my father,” said Deanna. “We deserve to know. He deserves justice.”
The family is calling for a transparent and independent investigation into Hector’s death. They hope that by speaking out, they can pressure the authorities to release more information—and possibly prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.
Debbie believes that something went terribly wrong that night at Fishkill Correctional. And until she has clear, honest answers, she says she will not stop fighting.
“I lost the love of my life, and I still don’t know why,” she said. “No family should have to go through this.”
The Larger Picture
Hector Camacho’s case isn’t an isolated one. Across the United States, families of incarcerated individuals have repeatedly raised concerns about lack of transparency and accountability in prison-related deaths. In many cases, investigations drag on for months—or even years—without resolution.
Advocates for prison reform say that greater oversight is needed to ensure the rights and safety of those behind bars, as well as to give families peace of mind in times of tragedy.
Still Waiting
As of today, Debbie Camacho still doesn’t have an updated death certificate for her husband. She still hasn’t received a full explanation. And she still wakes up every day with the same questions and the same pain.
But one thing is certain: she refuses to let her husband’s story be buried in silence.
“He mattered. He was a person. And someone needs to be held accountable,” she said firmly. “I won’t stop until I know what really happened to Hector.”
If you or someone you know has information about the circumstances surrounding Hector Camacho’s death at Fishkill Correctional Facility, please reach out to local authorities or investigative journalists covering the case.
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