Zoe Cosgrove

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Aug 19, 2026, 9:58 PM

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Updated

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A man died in custody at the recently opened Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, according to the NYC Department of Correction.

Christopher Rodriguez, 36, suffered a medical episode and was pronounced dead around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday. His passing marks the sixth death in custody reported this year.

City officials announced the opening of the 104-bed facility at Bellevue back in April. It replaced the North Infirmary Command on Rikers Island and marked a step in the city's long-term effort to close the jail.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Rodriguez. Our entire Department mourns his loss. We share our deepest condolences to Mr. Rodriguez's loved ones during this difficult time. We will conduct a thorough investigation in coordination with the appropriate city and state authorities," NYC Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards wrote in a statement.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared his condolences with Rodriguez's family through a post on X.