A Rikers Island inmate died Monday afternoon, the Department of Correction said, marking the 18th city jails-related death this year.
Gilberto Garcia, 26, was pronounced dead just before 1 p.m., the DOC said in a press release. His cause of death is under investigation by the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, officials said.
Garcia was being held at the Anna M. Kross Center, the DOC said. Last year, 16 inmates died in DOC custody.
Garcia was arrested three years to the day of his death, DOC records show. He entered the department’s custody on Nov. 2, 2019, on a first-degree robbery charge, according to the DOC.
His next court date was scheduled for Dec. 9.
As is in the case of all deaths of people in city custody, the state Attorney General and the city’s Department of Investigation will launch inquiries into Garcia’s death.