Rikers Island inmate found dead in cell, marking the 9th death in custody at NYC jail this year

An inmate at Rikers Island died in his prison cell Saturday morning – marking the ninth reported prisoner death at the troubled New York City jail this year, officials said. 

Ardit Billa, 29, who was in for burglary, was found “unresponsive” in his lockup by officers conducting routine tours at the George R. Vierno Center around 12:25 a.m., according to the city’s Department of Correction. 

Medical staff responded to the scene and rendered emergency aid, but the inmate was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m. 

“On behalf of the NYC Department of Correction, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Billa’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” DOC Commissioners Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said in a statement.

“Any loss of life in our custody is a tragedy, and we are committed to a full review of the circumstances surrounding this incident.”

Billa was booked at the Rikers facility on Feb. 23 after he was arrested on two separate cases in January – one for assault and weapons offenses and the other for burglary, criminal mischief and possessing stolen property, court records show. 

He was due back in court on Sept. 15.

Saturday’s incident brings the death toll in the city-run jail to nine — surpassing the five detainees who died in 2024 at the short-stay Bronx correctional complex.

Last month, Edwin Quispe, 33, was pronounced dead after he suffered a medical emergency and was found lying on the floor of a restroom inside the Eric M. Taylor Center.

Also in July, 51-year-old detainee Christian Collado, who had cancer, died at Bellevue Hospital’s jail ward, where he was receiving palliative care, Gothamist reported.

And in late June, two inmates died on the same day, officials said.

Benjamin Kelly, 37, who was discovered in medical distress, died at the Eric M. Taylor Center – and James Maldanado, 56, suffered a medical emergency while on a bus to Rikers awaiting a court hearing after being discharged from a hospital.

The embattled jail has been under federal supervision since 2015 amid ongoing systemic issues.