When Pagan called the prison, she asked if she could see the body. She was told no. She also asked if she could pick up his belongings. Not yet, she was told. The family did not know the circumstances of Velasquez's death until they were contacted by the Globe.

The Department of Correction says that its policy is to secure the body after a suicide. "Under these circumstances, it would be difficult to allow a family member to view the body within the institution."