Hector Camacho Declared Brain Dead, Family Left With Difficult Decision
Hector Camacho has been declared brain dead after being shot in the face Tuesday night. Camacho was originally expected to survive, but his condition quickly deteriorated and he was put on life support. Now his family has been left with the decision as to whether to take him off of life support.
Camacho's heart stopped at one point, and while there was once hopeful of a recovery, it most likely won't happen, according to Dr. Ernesto Torres.
"It would be a miracle for him to recuperate," he told reporters.
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Camacho's mother has flown in to Puerto Rico to be with her son, and the rest of the family is at the hospital as well. They are deciding whether or not to remove the life support keeping Camacho breathing. Doctors have assured the family, though, that Camacho is brain dead.
Camacho and another man were in the car when a gunman opened fire; the passenger did not survive the injuries after he was shot. Camacho, however, managed to survive and was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he is being treated for severe injuries to his face.
The bullet entered through his jaw and exited through his head, lodging in his right shoulder. Camacho has two fractured vertebrae in addition to the facial injuries. Doctors originally were uncertain whether Camacho would be paralyzed as a result of the fractured vertebrae.
Camacho is famous for his boxing ability and has fought against some of the biggest names including Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Felix Trinidad. He was actually able to best Leonard in 1997 and take a significant stand in the boxing world. Camacho has won three world titles but retired when he was beaten in 1997 by Oscar De La Hoya.
Unfortunately, Camacho also had a whole host of problems, including drug and alcohol abuse. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for the robbery of a computer store, but was given probation.
Most recently, Camacho was charged with child abuse and turned himself in to authorities in April of this year. He allegedly picked up his teenage son by the neck and slammed him to the ground.
The family has not said what it intends to do with regard to Camacho's situation, but a decision is expected soon.
