In Oklahoma City, a 37-year-old man named Frank Ramirez died while in custody at the Oklahoma County Detention Center on April 22, 2023. He had been detained since August 2021 on multiple charges, including robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery. His death marked the fifth in-custody fatality at the facility for that year.
On the evening of his death, a detention officer conducting checks was alerted that Ramirez was in distress within his cell. The officer immediately entered and began administering life-saving measures while medical staff were summoned. Emergency services, including EMSA and the Oklahoma City Fire Department, arrived and continued these efforts. Ramirez was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour after being found in his cell.
Following standard procedure for deaths occurring in custody, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations was notified to assist in an investigation, which was initially treated as a homicide pending a final determination of the cause of death by the State Medical Examiner's Office. As of late 2025, the official cause of death has not been publicly released, and there have been no announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in connection with his death.
Frank Ramirez was remembered by his family as a man who cherished spending time with them, particularly at the lake and while fishing. His obituary described him as having an infectious laugh and a smile that could brighten any day. He was survived by his parents, a brother, a sister, and his fiancée, along with a larger extended family.
