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Two Detainees Die at Rikers Island Within 24 Hours
Two people held at Rikers Island died within 24 hours this week. Officials said both deaths remain under investigation.
New York PostAudio version
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An alleged package thief died in custody at Rikers Island on Tuesday, less than a day after a woman held in a different facility at the jail complex suffered a fatal medical episode, the city’s Department of Correction said. m. inside the Eric M. Singer Center and would not get up.
Staff members performed CPR until medical staff arrived minutes later. m. Khan, from Queens, was arrested on May 5 for allegedly prying open the door of an apartment building at MacDougal and Prince streets and stealing packages a day earlier, according to the NYPD.
He had 21 prior arrests, largely for burglaries, petit larcenies and grand larcenies.
A day earlier, Rajpattie Ramkellawan, 41, who was detained in the Rose M. Singer Center, suffered a medical emergency. m. Ramkellawan had multiple burglary and petit larceny arrests in 2023, including for package theft, according to police.
In both cases, the Department of Correction notified the remediation manager, federal monitor, Board of Correction, State Attorney General’s Office, City Department of Investigation, State Commission of Correction, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the Bronx and Queens District Attorneys and the individuals’ attorneys.
DOC Commissioner Stanley Richards said in a statement that the department is devastated by the loss and that the incident will be investigated. The specific causes of both deaths remain under investigation. Four deaths have been reported at the jail complex so far this year.
Barry Cozart, 39, died after correction officers found him in need of medical aid on March 25. Accused drug-ring leader John Price, 49, died three days later after complaining to guards that he needed medical attention.
