Elmore Robert Pondexter
Elmore Robert Pondexter, 59, had been held at Rikers Island since April 2020. His family says he was special to them, and one of his adult children said the family felt his release while in the hospital was an attempt by authorities to avoid responsibility. He collapsed on September 18, 2022 after complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing, and his heart stopped at Bellevue Hospital, where he was taken off life support and died on September 22, 2022. His lawyer says he had told family about chest pains and shortness of breath and that his pleas to be seen by medical staff were ignored. The city's Department of Correction described his release as technical and did not count his death in its custody tally, and the mayor denied any attempt to undercount the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). His lawyer says he told family he had chest pains and shortness of breath and that his pleas to be seen by medical staff were ignored, while the cardiac arrest is the stated cause of death.
Reported by: Elmore Robert Pondexter's lawyer (family or their lawyers); Elmore Robert Pondexter's family (family or their lawyers); Department of Correction spokeswoman (the agency that held him).