A 29-year-old inmate at Rikers Island, New York City’s troubled jail, was found dead in his cell early Saturday morning, marking the ninth death at the facility this year, according to city officials. Ardit Billa, who was incarcerated for burglary, was discovered unresponsive during a routine cell check at the George R. Vierno Center around 12:25 a.m., as per the city’s Department of Correction.
Medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene and attempted to provide emergency aid. However, Billa was pronounced dead shortly before 1 a.m. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Correction, expressed her condolences to Billa’s family and loved ones in a statement. She acknowledged the tragedy of any loss of life within their custody and pledged a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Billa had been detained at Rikers since February 23, following his arrest on two separate cases in January. The charges included assault, weapons offenses, burglary, criminal mischief, and possession of stolen property, according to court records. He was scheduled to appear in court again on September 15.
This latest incident brings the total number of deaths at the city-run jail to nine this year, surpassing the five detainees who died in 2024 at the Bronx correctional complex. The facility has been grappling with systemic issues and has been under federal supervision since 2015.
In July, two other inmates died at the facility. Edwin Quispe, 33, was found dead following a medical emergency in a restroom at the Eric M. Taylor Center. Christian Collado, 51, a detainee with cancer, passed away at Bellevue Hospital’s jail ward where he was receiving palliative care.
In June, two more inmates died on the same day. Benjamin Kelly, 37, was found in medical distress and died at the Eric M. Taylor Center. James Maldanado, 56, suffered a medical emergency while on a bus to Rikers after being discharged from a hospital.