Terrence Wise
Terrence Wise, 56, was remembered by his partner of a decade, Philease Martin, as kind and romantic, recalling trips to Canarsie Park where they listened to Aerosmith and danced the waltz. While held at MDC Brooklyn in 2024, he repeatedly sent sick call requests about coughing up blood and a growing lung mass, and his lawyers' requests for his records went unanswered, according to a federal lawsuit filed by Martin. His lawyer, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, says jail medical staff delayed reviewing a CT scan showing a chest mass, which grew while he waited, and that his death was preventable. MDC's health services department admitted the results were missed and that the delay was unfortunate; he was moved to FMC Butner in April 2025 and died there of lung cancer on November 2, 2025.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Lung cancer went undiagnosed for months; his partner's federal lawsuit says jail staff's gross negligence caused his death, his lawyer says jail medical staff delayed reviewing a CT scan showing a chest mass, and the lawyer calls the death preventable.
Reported by: his partner, Philease Martin, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); his lawyer, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, in a Nov. 25 court filing (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His partner, Philease Martin, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that jail staff's gross negligence at MDC Brooklyn caused his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.