Another Man Dies In Custody At Rikers, Officials Say

RIKERS ISLAND, NY — A 27-year-old man named Dashawn Jenkins died on Monday night while locked up on Rikers Island, marking the fifth death on Rikers in 2025 so far.

According to amNewYork, the New York City Department of Corrections said Jenkins was found sick inside the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island at about 9:18 p.m. and pronounced dead by medics at 9:56 p.m.

The Legal Aid Society, which was representing Jenkins, released a statement saying that this death demands "an immediate, swift, and independent investigation" of the correctional facility.

"His untimely death, just one day after his 27th birthday, makes this tragedy all the more devastating and demands an immediate, swift, and independent investigation," Legal Aid Society said in a joint statement with the Queens Defenders.

“This is the fifth Rikers Island-related death this year. This needless loss of a young life underscores the urgent need for the immediate appointment of an independent body, such as a receivership, to take over the City’s jail system.”

According to the New York City person in custody look-up service, Jenkins was arrested in July 2024. The DOC has not yet responded to a request for comment. This article will be updated when they do.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.