An 18-year-old woman lost her life while in NYPD custody early yesterday morning at the 41st Precinct in the Bronx, officials announced. The unnamed woman reportedly fell unconscious at the Longwood Avenue station house, and despite efforts by officers to administer CPR, she did not survive the incident.
Officers at the scene called for an ambulance at approximately 12:30 a.m., and "Multiple officers performed CPR while awaiting EMS response," according to a statement from the NYPD provided to the New York Post. Her subsequent transport to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln ended with her being pronounced dead at the facility. The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is taking charge of the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her passing.
As of now, the NYPD has not provided information on why the young woman was in custody, leaving a critical gap in the narrative of her final hours. Similarly, her identity has been kept under wraps, with the authorities citing the ongoing probe as a reason for the withholding of such details.
The case has attracted considerable attention, prompting an investigation led by the department's Force Investigation Division. The division is known for its role in examining incidents where force is used by the police, and, in this instance, they will be piecing together the events that led to the young woman's untimely death. A report of the tragedy was also confirmed by the Gothamist, adding that emergency medical workers had been called to the station house about 40 minutes after midnight.
The investigation is presently underway and aims to shed light on the full circumstances of the death. This incident adds to the ongoing dialogue about the treatment and safety of individuals in police custody, as each development will undoubtedly be scrutinized by the public and advocates seeking answers and accountability.
