Rikers Island inmate found dead in cell, marking the 9th death in custody at NYC jail this year

An inmate at Rikers Island died in his prison cell Saturday morning – marking the ninth reported prisoner death at the troubled New York City jail this year, officials said.

Ardit Billa, 29, who was in for burglary, was found “unresponsive” in his lockup by officers conducting routine tours at the George R. Vierno Center around 12:25 a.m., according to the city’s Department of Correction.

Medical staff responded to the scene and rendered emergency aid, but the inmate was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m.

Eric Adams tells ‘Pod Force One’ socialist Zohran Mamdani’s ‘false promises’ are sure to harm lower-income New Yorkers

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS