A woman's death in Pittsburgh after release from ICE custody is ruled a homicide

5 hours ago

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.

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