NEW YORK – A 39-year-old man sent to Rikers Island for allegedly stealing perfume from a popular chain of beauty stores died Sunday of an alleged overdose.
Edgardo Mejías became the 19th inmate to die in the troubled prison system when officials found the man unconscious at the Anna M. Kross Center. He was pronounced dead around 5 p.m., the Department of Corrections said.
“The passing of Mr. Mejías fills our hearts with sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to all those who loved him, as we recognize how difficult it is to lose a loved one during the holidays. As with all deaths in custody, we will work with our sister agencies to ensure the matter is thoroughly and comprehensively investigated,” DOC Commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement.
DOC sources told the Daily News that the 39-year-old man died of a probable overdose; he was first discovered by other inmates who alerted prison staff. The official cause of Mejías’ death will be determined by the city coroner.
Mejias was taken to Rikers Island following his arrest Sept. 30 for allegedly stealing perfume from an Ulta beauty store in Manhattan, the Daily News reported.
His death, like all deaths in custody, will be investigated by the State Attorney General’s Office and the New York City Department of Investigation.
Deaths at Rikers this year rose to 19, the most in nearly a decade. The New York City Council will hold a hearing on the prison crisis on Rikers Island on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
An hour before the meeting, a rally is scheduled on the City Hall steps demanding action to reduce harm to inmates and further accountability for the city’s plan to close Rikers.
