Death Certificate: Afghan Ally Who Died in ICE Custody Suffered an Allergic Reaction

A death certificate lists “anaphylaxis complicating acute asthma exacerbation” as the cause of death for Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, the 41-year-old former ally of U.S. forces in Afghanistan who died at a Dallas hospital on March 14, one day after ICE detained him. The manner of death was ruled an accident, with toxic effects of methamphetamine, heart disease, and cigarette smoking listed as contributing factors — a finding his family disputes; a second autopsy could not confirm drug use because no blood remained for testing. Unanswered questions remain, including what substance triggered the reaction and why the certificate lists the injury date as March 13, the day he was taken into custody — when his wife says agents refused the inhaler she tried to hand them.