Antonio Pizarro should be Celebrating 28 Years. Instead, his mother Is fighting for justice against the Holding Center

Nadia Pizarro, the mother of Antonio Jose Pizarro, has filed a Notice of Claim against the County of Erie, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and the Erie County Holding Center for her son's death on July 4, 2026 while in holding center custody. Today, October 1, marks what would have been Antonio’s 28th birthday. Ms. Pizarro, as the Proposed Administrator to Antonio’s estate, is represented by Jaehyun Oh, Esq. of The Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm, LLP (3 Park Ave 37th Floor, New York, NY) and Kristen Elmore-Garcia, Esq. from the law office of John V. Elmore, P.C. (2969 Main Street, Buffalo, NY)

Antonio had a documented history of intellectual and developmental disabilities, which Erie County Holding Center was aware of. While Antonio was in the jail previously in 2023 and in 2024, he was housed in a specialized, small mental health unit to account for his disabilities and vulnerability. However, when he returned on June 30, 2026, staff placed him in general population with no protection. On July 4, two detainees with known violent tendencies strangled Antonio. The Notice of Claim asserts negligence, wrongful death, and federal civil rights claims.

The Notice alleges that the jail ignored clear warning signs that Antiono was in danger, including plans publicly announced by one of the perpetrators to kill Antonio. Additionally, shortly before his death, Antonio called his mother explaining that he was scared to be in general population and asking to be sent to a mental health unit for isolation. The Notice alleges that the jail employees were aware of these concerns, but failed to act, ultimately resulting in Antonio’s death.

"I am releasing this information to allow the facts of my son's story to speak for themselves," Ms. Pizarro said. "Antonio's severe mental and developmental disabilities made him extremely vulnerable to the coercion, abuse, and violent death he suffered. I will never stop fighting for justice for Antonio." Ms. Pizarro is requesting that the media respect her privacy and will be providing no further statements at this time.

“Today should have been a day to celebrate Antonio’s 28th birthday with his family. Instead, his mother is left mourning a son who was taken from her because the system failed to protect him. The Notice of Claim is the first step toward securing the justice and answers Antonio’s family rightfully deserves.” stated Attorney Oh, of the Fuchsberg Firm, on Ms. Pizarro’s behalf.

Media contact

Kristen Elmore-Garcia, Esq., Law Office of John V. Elmore, P.C., kristen@elmore.law, 716-300-0000

Sierra Romero, Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, LLP, s.romero@fuchsberg.com, 212-869-3500