Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Woman dies in custody on drug charges at Brooklyn Central Booking, police say
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Charles Lane
Published Apr 13, 2026
Modified Apr 13, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Free Agents Limited via Getty Images
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Charles Lane
Published Apr 13, 2026
Modified Apr 13, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A 33-year-old woman arrested on drug charges died in a Brooklyn jail cell on Sunday after two trips to the hospital, NYPD officials said Monday.
The woman, Zamiqua Miller, was being held at Brooklyn Central Booking, which shares the same building as Brooklyn Criminal Court, on Schermerhorn and Smith streets in Downtown Brooklyn, officials said.
The NYPD said Miller was arrested Friday night for three counts of criminal drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was taken into custody in possession of crack cocaine, according to authorities.
Authorities said Miller was having withdrawal-related symptoms Saturday and was taken to Brooklyn hospitals twice. Officials said two hospitals that treated her discharged her both times, and she was brought back to Central Booking for her arraignment. Neither hospital immediately responded to inquiries Monday.
Police said Miller was found unconscious in her cell early Sunday. They called paramedics for help, and she was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the NYPD.
The Brooklyn district attorney’s office said Miller was waiting to appear before a judge when she died. Her cause and manner of death were not released right away.
Police said Miller lived at the New York City Housing Authority’s Tilden Houses in Brownsville. The NYPD said its Force Investigation Division is investigating her death.
Court records show Miller had two open criminal cases against her in Queens court since last year, on charges including burglary, petit larceny and criminal trespassing. The nonprofit Legal Aid Society, which represented her in those cases, did not immediately comment.
Miller is the fourth person reported to have died in city police or corrections custody so far this year, according to authorities.
In March, 51-year-old Vincent Thoms died in custody after being held at Manhattan Central Booking, where police said he had multiple seizures. Just days later, 39-year-old Barry Cozart died after having a medical episode while incarcerated at Rikers Island. And late last month, 49-year-old John Price died at a hospital after being transferred from Rikers.
This story is based on preliminary information from law enforcement officials and has been updated with additional details.
Tagged
brooklyn
downtown Brooklyn
new york city
public safety
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
It’s unclear if the attackers knew the victim was NYPD.
By
Jill Webb
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 2:01 p.m. ET
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
The company blamed ‘macro-economic headwinds.’ The co-founder is suing over compensation.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
The company blamed ‘macro-economic headwinds.’ The co-founder is suing over compensation.
By
Catalina Gonella
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .