Press play to watch Irvo’s tribute below
About Irvo Otieno
Irvo Otieno was born in 1994 to Caroline and Moses Ouko Membo.
He came to America at the tender age of 4 years old with his mother and brother.
He is proudly of the Luo descent, a piece of him is tied to Kenya.
Irvo was a beloved son, brother, and friend who touched the lives of many with his kindness, creativity, and unwavering spirit.
Irvo was a great athlete who played both basketball and football starting in first grade at Tuckahoe Elementary, Tuckahoe Middle, Freeman High School then to Merced College in California where a mental breakdown derailed his education and sports.
He was an honor roll student with a deep understanding of English and poetry. These subjects became a springboard for his last endeavor, hip-hop artist.
Irvo was an aspiring rapper who goes by the rap name, “ Young Vo”, he was a true lyricist who wrote all his songs. He also freestyled.
Young Vo streaming on instagram at @1youngvo, Apple Music, SoundCloud and Spotify.
His life was tragically cut short, but his memory lives on through the countless individuals who were inspired by his passion for justice and equality.
Irvo’s death occurred after he was admitted under an emergency custody order (ECO). While in custody, Henrico County Sheriff’s deputies pinned him on the ground for twelve minutes, despite him being cuffed and shackled.
Irvo’s Story
He is remembered by friends and family as a compassionate and talented young man who was brilliant and had a passion for music and sports.
Irvo lived with mental illness, but that didn’t diminish his vivacious spirit. He loved life and was adventurous, brilliant, and dedicated to ensuring that everyone was treated fairly. Irvo was committed to change.
He cherished his family, friends, music, the beach, and his dog, Puppy.
Irvo was a good listener who gave others the gift of his time. He didn’t simply go with the flow; he formed his own conclusions in discussions.
His contagious smile and great sense of humor drew people to him.
Caroline Ouko, Irvo’s mum, says, “Irvo had a dream, a vision, and a destiny. That dream was stolen from Irvo on March 3, 2023, when my beloved son was brutally murdered.”
Recalling the incident, she expressed her frustration and grief over the handling of her son’s care, saying, ” Despite the police obtaining an Emergency Custody Order (ECO) to keep Irvo safe and ensuring his hospitalization for treatment, both the police and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital failed him.”
” At the hospital, the doctor became a passive observer in Irvo’s care. Irvo was not suffering from allergies, yet he was given Benadryl and one psychotropic medication within six hours. That is all the medication he got.He never saw a psychiatrist, was not stabilized, and was denied the treatment he was legally entitled to receive.
Both the police and the Henrico Doctor’s Hospital abandoned that effort, which led to his condition worsening.
The police, in an attempt to cover their actions, fabricated charges and removed my son from the treatment he desperately needed. What followed, as seen in the Henrico jail cell video, was aggravated assault, physical neglect, and abuse. In three days, my son was murdered.”
Press play to watch Caroline Ouko’s comments below
The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the official cause of Mr. Otieno’s death was positional and mechanical asphyxia with restraints. His death was ruled a homicide.
Irvo’s death was both preventable and avoidable.
His death highlights the systemic failings in Virginia’s mental health systems.
Irvo’s Law
While keeping Irvo’s name and spirit alive, we have advocated for legislative changes in the Virginia Mental Health System.
The Virginia House and Senate recently voted unanimously to pass IRVO’S Law, which is now part of Virginia’s legal framework.
Caroline Ouko, Irvo’s mother, shared her experience: “On March 3, 2023, while Irvo was admitted to Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, I followed him as I had done on previous occasions, acting as an effective liaison between my son and the medical team. I asked to see Irvo several times, but was denied and impeded. Later, I learned Irvo was also calling out for me. We were kept separate. This separation prevented me from advocating for and supporting my son. The fatal chain of events began at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Being impeded from your loved ones in a crisis causes real harm.
IRVO’S Law will not bring my son back, but I’m excited about what it will do for others like him. IRVO’S Law will give you the access that I was denied. In Irvo’s name and honor, we end the separation of those in a mental health crisis from family, loved ones, and legal guardians.”
Read more about Irvo’s Law HERE
Our Mission
- IRVO OTIENO’S law is a step in the right direction. Incrementally we can build on it.
- The Mission of IRVO OTIENO’S law is to advocate for comprehensive policies and systemic changes that ensure the safety, dignity and well being of persons living with mental illnesses in out patient care, hospitals,jails and institutions.
- We will power forward to advocate for policies that will protect and-keep the mentally ill safe
- Eradicate police violence, Assault, negligence, racism, hate and bigotry around the mentally ill through legislative reform, community engagement and recourse.
- Our goal is to create a compassionate and just system that respects the rights of all individuals regardless of their origin, race or disability and to honor the memory of Irvo Otieno by preventing these senseless killings.
- The end game is putting a stop to the criminalization of our mental health.
Feedback
We would love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, or want to get involved, please reach out to us.
- Email: [email protected]
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Thank You
Thank you for visiting our site and for your support in keeping Irvo’s memory alive. Together, we can create a more just and compassionate world.