Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Family hires lawyer in Bronx teen's death in NYPD custody that's been ruled a suicide
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 14, 2025
Modified Jul 14, 2025
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 .
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 14, 2025
Modified Jul 14, 2025
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
City medical examiners said Monday they have ruled the death of an 18-year-old woman in NYPD custody earlier this month a suicide — but her family is continuing to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Saniyah Cheatham, an 18-year-old from the Bronx, died by hanging herself in a holding cell at the NYPD’s 41st Precinct stationhouse in Longwood on July 5, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The office did not immediately provide further details.
Police have said Cheatham was found unresponsive around 12:40 a.m. that day, leading multiple officers to perform CPR on her while waiting for an ambulance. She was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to NYPD officials.
Cheatham’s family held a press conference Monday outside the stationhouse with their attorney Ben Crump, a nationally known civil rights lawyer, and more than a dozen activists and community members. Crump — who has represented relatives of various people killed by police, including Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others — said he planned on “exploring every possible legal remedy to get to the truth.”
“It is a hypocritical dynamic where you have the video, you know what happened, but you're gonna make this family have to go through all kinds of hoops and hurdles to find out what happened to their daughter,” he said.
Saniyah Cheatham in an undated photo posted on social media.
Family of Saniyah Cheatham via Facebook
Cheatham’s family previously pushed back on police officials’ statements to the New York Times and other outlets that she hanged herself with a sweater. Her mother, Thomasina Cheatham, said her daughter was in good spirits at a July Fourth barbecue with relatives and was not wearing a sweater at the time.
“ I just want to know what happened to Saniyah,” Thomasina said Monday, describing her as “bright, independent, smart and outgoing.” “That was my only daughter and she didn't deserve this.”
The family said they had not heard anything official from the chief medical examiner’s office about the suicide ruling.
“We're not saying it's impossible, but it does make you scratch your head,” Crump said. “It is not adding up to the family. That's why they want to see the video.”
Police have not said why Cheatham was in their custody, but the Times reported she was arrested on July 4 in an assault case.
Asked for comment Monday, an NYPD spokesperson said its Force Investigation Division is reviewing the incident.
Tamika Mallory, cofounder of the social justice organization Until Freedom, encouraged community members to reach out to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and demand the department release body-camera and surveillance video showing what happened while Cheatham was behind bars.
“ We will not stop fighting until we get justice for Saniyah,” Mallory said. “We will stand with this family. We will not leave your side.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit NYC 988 online.
Tagged
bronx
new york city
nypd
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
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 .