Woman’s hypothermia death after her release by ICE is ruled a homicide
Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, died of hypothermia at a Pittsburgh bus shelter on March 2, days after her release from federal custody. The Allegheny County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, indicating it was caused by another individual's actions. Michel, described as a vulnerable adult with untreated mental health issues and a language barrier, had been paroled based on humanitarian need. Her family's attorney plans to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while an ICE spokesperson stated the agency had no role in her death, asserting she was an "illegal alien" who passed away three days after her encounter with ICE and had access to belongings and transportation. Local officials and a US House member called the death preventable and a tragedy.