Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'

[riversedge]

Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'

Nenko Gantchev, 56, lived in Chicago for 30 years, died Monday at North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan: Officials
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/

By Mark Rivera and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Tom Jones

Friday, December 19, 2025 7:47PM


CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Bulgarian man from Chicago arrested during the recent fall immigration enforcement 'blitz' has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Michigan private prison.

Nenko Gantchev, 56, died Monday at the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, MI, which is contracted by ICE to hold undocumented migrants.

After multiple inquiries from the ABC7 I-Team, a DHS statement published online said Gantchev's death is "suspected to be from natural causes," but "the official cause of death is still under investigation."

But Gantchev's family and friends tell the I-Team questions are mounting surrounding his deteriorating medical condition the past few months while he was in custody at North Lake, leading up to what happened the day he died.

"I want people to know what happened to him, a man who lived 30 years here, hardworking, paid taxes, and they treated him like an animal," said Gantchev's wife, a U.S. citizen who asked the I-Team not to use her name as she fears retaliation from federal officials. "They are so rude to him... They treated him like he was a murderer."

Chicago Congresswoman Delia Ramirez has called for an "immediate, transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Gantchev's death, including an investigation into reports from other detainees that he asked for medical assistance and did not receive it in time to save his life.".......................

[Blue Owl]

1. K&R for exposure

[The Blue Flower]

2. Sickening

ICEstapo is revolting. So will we be if this doesn't end soon. This is murder. Bondi, Noem, and Homan should be in prison.

[iluvtennis]

3. Disgusting. Kick for visibility.

[IcyPeas]

4. "Natural causes"

Caused by ICE

[Safe as Milk]

7. Neglect. Intentional. Manslaughter.

That's ICE. That's who they are. Killing detainees is preferable to keeping them alive. It's good for the budget.

[slightlv]

5. This has got to be the first deparment

(after the presidency, of course) that we rake over the coals in a Truth and Reconciliation committee meeting. Subpoenas must be handed out with immediate incarceration if a whiff of a word of noncompliance is uttered.

Furthermore, this agency must be disbanded at the first opportunity. As well as any department that deals with immigration. Start over from scratch, with the emphasis being put on refugees, conscientious dissenters, and those coming from cartel laded countries. And it must be... by default... skewed in their favor. Proof of wrongdoing or criminality must be presented for even a delay in immigration court.

[BOSSHOG]

6. The leader of the Republican Party is a murderer

and his supporters don’t care. That’s what being a Republican is all about. Chuck in a heaping helping of racism and a huge dollop of ignorance and you’ll have yourself a bonafide prominent conservative spokesman.

[ChicagoTeamster]

8. Based on news reports, new ICE hires have more criminal background than the people they are detaining

[ShazzieB]

11. Gee whiz.

Why am I NOT surprised by this?

[liberalgunwilltravel]

9. I want to read about

Trump, Miller, Noem, Homan, Hegseth, and Vought having died from “natural causes.”

[orangecrush]

10. Kick

[Cha]

12. So Heartbreaking! And no fucking

Accountability so far.

[MustLoveBeagles]

13. It's infuriating 😡

[littlemissmartypants]

14. Justice for Nenko!✊️