A woman tragically lost her life after falling from the International Border Fence near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported. The incident occurred late on March 21 when Border Patrol agents detected individuals approaching the fence with a ladder. The victim, a 24-year-old Guatemalan citizen, attempted to scale the 30-foot-tall barrier but became stuck and fell while waiting for assistance.
According to CBP's statement, an agent observed the woman on top of the fence around 10:30 p.m. Despite warnings not to proceed, she climbed over and tried to descend the north side. As the woman screamed for aid, agents communicated her distress to the San Diego Fire Department. However, obstacles delayed the fire truck and a ladder from reaching her in time.
While awaiting the emergency services, which struggled with difficult access points, the woman warned agents that she could not hold on any longer. At approximately 10:54 p.m., she fell from the fence, sustaining severe injuries. Despite Border Patrol agents and fire department personnel's attempts to aid her, she was pronounced dead by a physician over the phone at around 11:17 p.m.
The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the case. The incident, captured on body-worn cameras, will be reviewed by the OPR. In accordance with CBP policy, the footage will be released when it will not impact the ongoing investigations. The woman's identity has not been publicly disclosed pending notification of her family.
Border fences, like the one at Otay Mesa, have been the site of numerous injuries and fatalities over the years as migrants take perilous risks to cross into the United States. As per a CBP mandate from May 2022, current policies require that incidents involving deaths be disclosed to the public, reflecting an effort to ensure transparency and accountability within the agency.
