A Woman’s Hypothermia Death In Pittsburgh After Her Release From ICE Custody Is Ruled A Homicide

A Haitian asylum seeker, Daphy Michel, tragically passed away on March 2 after being released from federal custody. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death as a homicide due to hypothermia, indicating that her demise was caused by the actions of another individual. Her family’s attorney, Joseph Patrick Murphy, intends to file a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in connection with her death.

Murphy revealed that Michel, a vulnerable adult with untreated severe mental health issues and language barriers, was released on humanitarian parole on February 27. Despite her challenges, ICE arrested her after a previous arrest for psychiatric issues, placed an ankle monitor on her, and relocated her to Pittsburgh, where she tragically succumbed to hypothermia while sitting at a bus shelter.

ICE denied responsibility for Michel’s death, stating that she passed away three days after their encounter. According to ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis, Michel was an “illegal alien from Haiti” facing removal proceedings. The agency claimed that Michel had all her belongings, a charged phone, and access to public transportation upon release. However, ICE was informed that her ankle monitor had been tampered with after her death.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee expressed their condolences, highlighting the preventable nature of Michel’s death. Innamorato called it a tragedy that could have been avoided with compassion, while Lee emphasized Michel’s right to care, shelter, language access, and medical support.

ICE’s decision to stop reporting detainee deaths within 30 days of release has raised concerns among health experts, who fear that this change may lead to underreporting and inadequate addressing of medical care issues within detention facilities.

Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota.