Death of Daphy Michel
Daphy Michel (31, Haiti) died on or around 2026-03-02 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, days after ICE released her from custody. Released in late February with an ankle monitor, in inadequate clothing and with untreated severe mental illness, roughly 25 miles from home, she was found dead at a bus shelter. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled the hypothermia death a homicide.
Official account
ICE did not report the death. Deaths occurring after release from custody are not included in ICE's mortality reporting.
What is documented
- Person: Daphy Michel, age 31; Haiti.
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (found at a bus shelter).
- Agency: ICE (released from custody shortly before death).
- Cause: hypothermia; ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner.
- Circumstance: Released in late February 2026 with an ankle monitor, inadequately dressed for winter, with untreated severe mental illness, about 25 miles from home.
Scrutiny of the official account
Grounded in the sourced record below; this documents the dispute rather than asserting a conclusion.
- Status / dispute: Ruled a homicide by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Uncounted by ICE because the death occurred after release.
Unanswered questions
- Why was a person with untreated severe mental illness released far from home in winter with inadequate clothing?
- Will ICE account for deaths that occur shortly after release from its custody?
- Will an independent body investigate the conditions of her release?
Help document this death
If you have information, photos, video, or documentation about this death:
- Submit a tip / report: Submit an incident report
- Upload photos or video: Upload media to the ICE List
- Identify an agent or vehicle: Submit agent information
See also
Needs review