A 40-year-old Rikers Island detainee died Tuesday morning, marking the second dying in metropolis jail custody in lower than 24 hours, THE CITY has discovered.
The detainee, who was arrested Could 5 and was awaiting trial on felony theft and narcotics fees, has not but been publicly recognized as a result of authorities are nonetheless notifying members of the family.
The reason for dying was not instantly recognized.
The dying got here as Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards and federal jail remediation supervisor Nicholas Deml had been in Germany touring correctional amenities there, in line with a supply conversant in the journey.
On Monday, 41-year-old Rajpattie Ramkellawan died on the Rose M. Singer Middle following what the Division of Correction described as a medical emergency.
In a press release launched Monday, Ramkellawan’s lawyer described her as “mild and sort” and mentioned she struggled all through her life with extreme behavioral well being challenges stemming from trauma and adversity.
She misplaced a sibling in a automotive crash and a younger little one, in line with the protection lawyer. On Friday, she underwent a so-called 730 examination to see if she was mentally unfit to face trial.
“She by no means misplaced her childlike innocence regardless of encountering unimaginable trauma and adversity,” mentioned Katherine LeGeros Bajuk, a psychological well being lawyer specialist with New York County Defender Companies. “Her authorized group is devastated by this tragedy, and our hearts exit to her loving and supportive household.”
Ramkellawan was in jail since March whereas she awaited trial on theft fees, in line with courtroom information.
All instructed, 4 folks have died in metropolis jail custody thus far this yr, after 15 deaths in 2025, 5 in 2024, 9 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.
Margaret Egan, the previous govt director of the town’s Board of Correction, is serving as performing commissioner throughout Richards’ journey overseas.
The town Division of Correction didn’t instantly reply to an e-mail searching for remark.
