Family of man who died by suicide on Rikers Island files wrongful death suit against city
Curtis Davis was incarcerated at the jail for 54 days and lawyers say while he was there, Davis asked for mental health help several times — saying he heard voices in his head and expressed suicidal thoughts.
Share:
More Stories
0:18
Police: Sound Beach woman arrested for driving with 33 license suspensions
4h ago2:20
Chaos erupts in Islip following latest street takeover incident
9h ago0:30
State police: Shelter Island man arrested, had 4,000 videos of child pornography
14h ago1:49
Sheriff: Impaired Selden man fled traffic stop, crashed into Farmingville home
14h ago0:22
Riverhead man accused of DWI with 2 children in car
21h ago1:42
Suffolk police: Armed robbers steal woman’s BMW; 2 arrested after pursuit
2ds ago0:18
Police: Sound Beach woman arrested for driving with 33 license suspensions
4h ago2:20
Chaos erupts in Islip following latest street takeover incident
9h ago0:30
State police: Shelter Island man arrested, had 4,000 videos of child pornography
14h ago1:49
Sheriff: Impaired Selden man fled traffic stop, crashed into Farmingville home
14h ago0:22
Riverhead man accused of DWI with 2 children in car
21h ago1:42
Suffolk police: Armed robbers steal woman’s BMW; 2 arrested after pursuit
2ds agoCurtis Davis died by suicide on Rikers Island in 2023.
Davis was incarcerated at the jail for 54 days and lawyers say while he was there, Davis asked for mental health help several times — saying he heard voices in his head and expressed suicidal thoughts.
A Department of Correction investigation found that on the day Davis took his own life, correction officers left his cell unsupervised for several hours.
Investigators found his cell windows were also improperly covered, obstructing any officer's view inside.
Lawyers say logs used to monitor tours by officers of the units were also inaccurately kept.
Following the investigation, a prison warden and two officers were suspended for not doing their jobs properly.
Family members tell News 12 they believe Davis's death could have been prevented.
"If he is asking for help, that means that he means it," said his daughter.
"We don't want anything to be swept under the rug, especially when it pertains to his life. He mattered to a lot of people," she said.
News 12 reached out to the Department of Correction and it referred News 12 to the city's Law Department, which said it will be reviewing the case.
More from News 12
2:05
Police: Trooper wounded by gunshot on Southern State Parkway suspended without pay
1:41
Temps rise for Election Day on LI with record warmth possible Wednesday
2:21
Vote 2024: What you need to know before voting on Election Day
0:18
Police: Sound Beach woman arrested for driving with 33 license suspensions
1:36
Benefit performance helps gain funds for LI students looking to pursue career in the arts
2:00
