Key facts
- Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, died on March 2 in Pittsburgh.
- The Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide, caused by hypothermia.
- Michel was released from ICE custody on February 27, reportedly wearing inadequate clothing for the weather.
- Her attorney stated she suffered from severe mental health issues and a language barrier.
- ICE denies responsibility, citing her release with belongings and a phone, and alleged tampering with her ankle monitor.
A medical examiner in Pennsylvania ruled the death of Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, a homicide, stating it was caused by hypothermia after her release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Michel died on March 2, with the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office determining hypothermia as the cause of death and homicide as the manner. The ruling indicates the death was caused by the actions of another individual, though it does not imply criminal guilt.
According to the medical examiner's office, Michel was a vulnerable adult with severe mental health issues and a language barrier when she was released from federal custody on February 27. Her family's attorney stated she had been seeking asylum since 2022 and was arrested last summer for issues related to her mental health, spending six months in jail before ICE took custody and placed an ankle monitor on her.
ICE, through Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Lauren Bis, denied responsibility for Michel's death. Bis stated that Michel was released with her belongings, a phone, and in good weather in Pittsburgh, where public transport is available. ICE reported that Michel's ankle monitor was tampered with on March 3, and that local staff refused to cooperate with ICE or U.S. Marshals regarding her condition or whereabouts. ICE learned of her death through media reports.
Eighteen individuals have died in ICE custody this year, not including Michel. A 2024 ACLU report found that a significant majority of deaths reported by ICE between 2017 and 2021 were preventable with appropriate medical care.