A 29-year-old man identified as Julian Pagan died Friday after he was found unresponsive in a holding cell following his arraignment at Bronx Criminal Court inside the Hall of Justice, officials said.
Correction officials said Pagan was discovered unresponsive in a courthouse cell shortly before 6 p.m., then taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m., according to News12. The New York City Department of Correction said the cause of death is under investigation.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and we share our condolences with Mr. Pagan’s loved ones," Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards said in a statement. "We will investigate the circumstances of this death in coordination with city and state authorities," he added.
A string of in-custody deaths
Per the Vera Institute, four people had died in Department of Correction custody so far in 2026, and the organization has tracked dozens of deaths since 2022. Advocates and watchdogs say that tally highlights longstanding concerns about medical care, staffing and oversight inside city jails.
Local reforms and federal oversight steps have been put in place recently as officials and courts press for changes, although critics argue the pace and impact of those efforts remain under intense scrutiny.
How deaths are reviewed
Deaths in Department of Correction custody routinely trigger reviews by multiple agencies and watchdogs. The City has reported that such probes often involve the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and can include the state attorney general or the Department of Investigation depending on the case.
Those examinations can result in administrative action, policy recommendations or, in some instances, criminal referrals.
What officials say will happen next
The Department of Correction said it will investigate Pagan’s death "in coordination with city and state authorities." Per the Board of Correction's report, "The New York City Board of Correction is required, by statute, to investigate the circumstances of deaths in custody."
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will complete its review before a cause of death is released, and officials said more details will be provided as they become available.
