A woman's death in Pittsburgh after release from ICE custody is ruled a homicide
6 hours ago
- #Asylum Seeker Tragedy
- #ICE Custody Death
- #Hypothermia Homicide
- A Haitian asylum seeker, Daphy Michel, 31, died from hypothermia in Pittsburgh after being released from ICE custody, with the death ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
- The medical examiner cited untreated severe mental health issues and a language barrier as factors, indicating the death resulted from another's actions, though not necessarily criminal guilt.
- Michel was arrested for psychiatric challenges, spent months in jail, and was released by ICE in February with inadequate clothing, leading to her death days later in winter conditions.
- ICE denies involvement, stating she died three days after their encounter and had belongings and transport options, but her family's attorney plans to sue over her death.
- Critics, including local officials, call the death preventable and highlight policy changes where ICE no longer reports detainee deaths within 30 days of release, potentially undercounting fatalities.