NYC Department of Correction

Notification of a Death in Custody

Statement from NYC Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards:

“An individual in our care tragically passed away following a court appearance in Queens. This is a heartbreaking moment for me and the entire department. Our deepest condolences are with his family members and loved ones. We will investigate the circumstances of this tragedy with city and state authorities.”

Background from the NYC Department of Correction:

At 6:38 p.m., DOC staff saw Luis Alberto Lopez Castillo, 20, in medical distress at the Queens Courts. Staff performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:54 p.m.

The Department has notified the Remediation Manager, Federal Monitor, the Board of Correction, the State Attorney General’s Office, the City Department of Investigation, the State Commission of Correction, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the Queens and Bronx District Attorneys and the individual’s attorney.