Isa Abdul-Karim
Isa Abdul-Karim, 41, was held at Rikers Island in New York City when he died on September 19, 2021. His sister, Najwa Comeau, described him as worldly, and friends from a Brooklyn masjid remembered him leading prayers and making drinks to celebrate Eid. He had schizophrenia and used a wheelchair, and he contracted COVID-19 while at the jail. A pulmonary embolism linked to COVID-19 is the cause of death described in the reporting, and his attorney, Leo Glickman, said he had been held for at least seven days in a temporary holding pen with other people. The family and attorney were still waiting for medical records, jail information and autopsy paperwork.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. Reporting says he died of a pulmonary embolism linked to COVID, but does not name who determined the cause, and his attorney says he was held for at least seven days in a temporary holding pen.
Reported by: news reporting on his death.