A 29-year-old man died after he was found unresponsive in a holding cell at a Bronx courthouse following his arraignment Friday, according to New York’s Department of Correction. Julian Pagan was discovered shortly before 6 p.m., received medical aid at the scene, and was subsequently transported to Lincoln Hospital, where department officials stated he was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m.
Commissioner Stanley Richards issued a statement expressing condolences and outlining plans for accountability. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and we share our condolences with Mr. Pagan’s loved ones,” Richards said, adding that the department will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death in coordination with city and state authorities.
Attorney Accounts and Courthouse Timeline Leading Up to the Death
Legal representation for Pagan noted that her interactions with him hours prior to the incident showed no indication of a medical crisis. Samantha Brugger, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society who represented Pagan in court, stated that her client was alert, engaged, and exhibited no signs of distress during their court appearance earlier that day. “Mr. Pagan’s family deserves answers,” Brugger said. “No family should be left to learn that a loved one entered the City’s custody alive only to be told hours later that he had died.”
According to Brugger, distress set in for Pagan after he learned he would be sent back to Rikers Island. During a phone conversation following that realization, Pagan spoke to his father, who told him to “hang in there” and reminded him of his love. The prospect of returning to the jail facility left Pagan deeply distressed, Brugger noted.
Did You Know? Julian Pagan is at least the fifth person to die in, or shortly after leaving, Department of Correction custody this year, following four earlier deaths of people held on Rikers Island who suffered medical emergencies in March and May.
Broader Jail Conditions and Ongoing Oversight
Oversight records indicate that at least 15 people died in 2025, marking the most since 2022. Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the fatality in a social media statement on Saturday, confirming that the Department of Correction and its oversight partners would investigate. “Every person in city custody deserves to be treated with dignity and care, and our administration remains committed to ensuring that happens,” Mamdani stated.
The city jail system operates under federal oversight stemming from years of violence and dangerous conditions on Rikers Island. In January, the federal judge in charge of reforming Rikers appointed a remediation manager to force changes to the system. In an action plan filed earlier this month, the remediation manager reported that the Department of Correction struggles to perform even basic functions, including staffing posts, securing housing units, and keeping people safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Julian Pagan?
Pagan was found unresponsive in a Bronx courthouse holding cell following his arraignment on Friday and was later pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital at 6:37 p.m., according to the Department of Correction.
What did Pagan’s attorney say about his condition?
Samantha Brugger of the Legal Aid Society stated that Pagan was alert, engaged, and showed no signs of a medical emergency while in court hours before his death, though he was deeply distressed about returning to Rikers Island.
How many deaths have occurred in the city jail system this year?
Pagan’s death marks at least the fifth fatality involving an individual in or recently leaving Department of Correction custody this year, contributing to an overall total of at least 15 deaths recorded in 2025.
How will federal oversight and city investigations impact the safety protocols inside New York City holding facilities?
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