UPDATE: A Bronx murder suspect, Kyron Randall, died on Rikers Island Sunday afternoon, marking the 15th inmate death at the troubled facility in 2025. Authorities report that Randall, aged 33, suffered an apparent allergic reaction around 12:10 p.m. while in custody at the George R. Vierno Center.
The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) confirmed that Randall received medical aid and was transported to Elmhurst Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead just before 1:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie stated, “This matter will be thoroughly investigated,” extending condolences to Randall’s family.
Randall was arrested on June 30, 2023, charged with the murder of a 56-year-old man during a dispute in an apartment building on Fulton Avenue in Morrisania. The victim ultimately succumbed to his injuries after slipping into a coma, prompting authorities to upgrade the charges against Randall from assault to murder.
Court records reveal Randall was committed to the custody of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in March 2024 but returned to DOC custody in July after failing to post $25,000 bail. His trial was originally set for February 2025 but has been repeatedly postponed, with the next court appearance scheduled for February 3, 2026. Randall spent nearly two years in custody awaiting trial.
His death adds to a troubling trend at Rikers Island, which has seen the highest inmate death toll since 2022, when 19 individuals died. Following the incident, the DOC reported Randall’s death to several authorities, including the federal monitor for Rikers Island, Steve Martin, and the state Attorney General’s office.
The future of Rikers Island remains uncertain as the facility is under federal receivership and is scheduled to close by 2027. However, the outgoing Adams administration has raised concerns about meeting this deadline due to rising inmate populations and construction delays for alternative community-based jails. Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed a commitment to adhere to the closure timeline.
Criminal justice advocates are responding with urgency. Darren Mack, Co-Director of Freedom Agenda, lamented the death, stating, “We know very clearly what we need from our incoming mayor – urgent action to stop sending people to this death camp, invest in real community safety, and finally get Rikers closed.”
As this situation develops, the spotlight remains on Rikers Island, where the conditions and safety of inmates are under intense scrutiny. The community awaits further updates on the investigation into Randall’s death and the broader implications for the facility’s future.
