UPDATE: A Bronx murder suspect has tragically died in custody at Rikers Island, marking the 15th inmate to perish at the facility this year. Kyron Randall, aged 33, suffered an apparent allergic reaction while incarcerated on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the George R. Vierno Center.
Randall fell ill around 12:10 p.m. and was quickly administered medical aid before being transported to Elmhurst Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, Randall was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m. on Monday morning. The cause of the allergic reaction remains undisclosed, and Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie stated, “this matter will be thoroughly investigated,” extending condolences to Randall’s family.
The circumstances surrounding Randall’s death amplify ongoing concerns about inmate safety at Rikers, which has faced scrutiny for rising mortality rates. He was arrested on June 30, 2023, on murder charges related to the fatal assault of a 56-year-old man during a dispute in an apartment building on Fulton Avenue in Morrisania. The victim succumbed to his injuries after slipping into a coma, prompting authorities to elevate charges against Randall from assault to murder.
A trial for Randall was initially set for February 2025, but repeated delays pushed the date back to February 3, 2026. He spent nearly two years awaiting trial in the Department of Correction (DOC) custody, during which time he was also briefly committed to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
This incident marks an alarming trend at Rikers Island, which has witnessed the highest number of inmate deaths since 2022, when 19 individuals died under DOC supervision. Following Randall’s death, the DOC reported the incident to various oversight bodies, including the federal monitor for Rikers Island and the New York Attorney General’s office.
The future of Rikers Island remains uncertain, with the facility under federal receivership and scheduled to close in 2027. However, challenges persist due to a growing inmate population and construction delays for community-based jails meant to replace Rikers. Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to adhere to the closure timeline, emphasizing a commitment to reducing the jail population while ensuring public safety.
“We know very clearly what we need from our incoming mayor – urgent action to stop sending people to this death camp,” said Darren Mack, Co-Director of Freedom Agenda. “We must invest in real community safety and finally get Rikers closed.”
As the investigation into Randall’s death unfolds, advocates continue to call for immediate reforms at Rikers Island to prevent further tragedies. This latest incident underscores the urgent need for systemic change within the correctional facility to safeguard the lives of its inmates.
