A 65-year-old Rikers Island prisoner died while being cared for at an infirmary on Saturday morning, making him the first inmate to die in custody on the penal island this year.
Marvin Pines, 65, had been jailed since Aug. 3, 2022 after his arrest in Manhattan on criminal sale of a controlled substance.
He died on Feb. 4 at about 6:18 a.m. at Rikers’ North Infirmary Command. Moments earlier, the Daily News reported, Pines had been found unconscious in the shower area after having suffered an apparent seizure.
Pines’ body was transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
“Any death in custody is a tragedy,” City Correction Commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement Saturday. “We sincerely send our deepest condolences and sympathy to Mr. Pines’ family and loved ones. As with all deaths in custody, we are working with our partner agencies to conduct a full investigation.”
