A Pennsylvania medical examiner has ruled the death of Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, a homicide after she was found unresponsive at a Pittsburgh bus stop just days after being released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Michel died from hypothermia and classified the manner of death as homicide. According to the ruling, Michel was considered a vulnerable adult who was suffering from severe untreated mental health issues and faced significant language barriers when she was released from federal custody on February 27.
Officials noted that a homicide determination does not automatically indicate criminal intent or result in criminal charges. Rather, it signifies that the death resulted from the actions or omissions of another person, organization, or circumstance.
Michel arrived in the United States in 2022 seeking asylum and was granted humanitarian parole. According to reports, she spent approximately six months in Washington County Jail following misdemeanor charges related to a mental health episode. The charges were later dismissed by a judge, and her family had expected to pick her up following her release.
Instead, Michel was transferred to ICE custody due to an immigration detainer. After being processed at an ICE office in Pittsburgh and fitted with an ankle monitor, she was released the same day.
Security footage later showed Michel remaining at a Pittsburgh bus shelter for more than 30 hours during cold winter conditions. Authorities reported that she was dressed in light clothing that was not suitable for the weather. She was eventually found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Michel’s family and their attorney, Joseph Patrick Murphy, have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding her release. They argue that she was left without adequate support despite facing language, educational, and mental health challenges.
ICE has disputed allegations of wrongdoing, stating that Michel was released during daylight hours with access to public transportation and possession of her personal belongings, including a charged cellphone. The agency has also stated that it learned of her death through media reports.
The case has sparked broader discussions about how vulnerable individuals with mental health needs are released from detention facilities and whether additional safeguards should be in place to ensure their safety and connection to family support systems.
County officials have also questioned the lack of coordination between local authorities, federal immigration officials, and Michel’s family, highlighting concerns about gaps in communication and care for individuals facing complex medical and social challenges.
As questions continue surrounding the circumstances of Michel’s death, advocates and community leaders are calling for greater accountability and reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
