Caroline Ouko held a portrait of her son, Irvo Otieno, as she spoke to reporters about his life, his music and his tragic death. The 28-year-old came to the US from Kenya aged four and realised his passion for hip-hop, streaming his music under the moniker “Young Vo” and working towards starting his own record label. He died in police custody on March 6, 2023, at a state mental hospital in Virginia, where he had been admitted for evaluation. Deputies smothered him, according to his mother and her attorneys, pressing him down until his body was “clearly lifeless”. His arms and legs were bound, but he posed no threat to the deputies and hospital employees who have since been charged with second-degree murder. “All I’m left with is his voice,” Ouko said.
Mother speaks out after young musician died in police custody
