City Investigating Death of 29-Year-Old in Bronx Courthouse Custody

A 29-year-old man died while in the custody of the New York City Department of Correction on Friday, following his appearance at a Bronx courthouse. Officials identified the man as Julian Pagan.

According to the Department of Correction, staff discovered Pagan unresponsive in a holding cell shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Although medical assistance was provided at the scene, he was subsequently transported to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m.

Commissioner Stanley Richards expressed condolences to the family of the deceased in a public statement, noting that the department is coordinating with city and state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

This incident marks at least the fifth death involving an individual in the custody of the city’s jail system this year. Previous fatalities in 2026 occurred among individuals held at Rikers Island, following a year in which at least 15 people died in custody—the highest number recorded since 2022.

The city’s correctional facilities remain under federal oversight due to long-standing concerns regarding safety and violence. In January, a federal judge appointed a remediation manager to oversee reforms. In a recent action plan, the manager highlighted ongoing systemic challenges, including difficulties in maintaining adequate staffing levels and securing housing units to ensure the safety of those in custody.

As of Saturday, the specific cause of death remains under investigation. Representatives for Pagan could not be reached for comment regarding the incident.