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Man being held at Rikers died Sunday after guard says he appeared ‘unwell’
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 7, 2025
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José A. Alvarado Jr. for Gothamist
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 7, 2025
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A man detained at the Rikers Island jail complex died early Sunday after being taken to the hospital, New York City Department of Correction officials said.
According to the DOC, at 2 a.m., a guard found the man looking “unwell” in his cell at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center. Medical staff and EMS workers provided aid to the unnamed man, before he was transported to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital, DOC officials said. There, he was pronounced deceased at 3:15 a.m, according to the DOC.
“The Department is mourning the tragic death of an individual in our custody. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family,” NYC Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. “The safety of everyone in our care is always our foremost concern, and we will fully investigate this tragedy.”
Officials said the department notified a number of agencies of the death, including the Federal Monitor, Board of Correction and State Attorney General’s office.
The man is the 14th person who died at Rikers or shortly after being released from Rikers so far this year, according to Gothamist’s tracking of Department of Correction reports. The total is more than twice the number of deaths there last year.
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Catalina Gonella
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