Death of Haitian Asylum Seeker Daphy Michel Ruled Homicide After ICE Release

On Feb 27, 2026 ICE released Daphy Michel in Pittsburgh; later she was found dead of hypothermia at a bus shelter. Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, indicating a party’s action or omission caused it.

Mother Jones

Michel, 31, a Haitian who entered the U.S. in 2022, was granted parole. Spent six months in Washington County jail after a 2025 arrest for psychiatric distress; her attorney said she suffered untreated mental illness and a language barrier.

Mother Jones

ICE released Michel on Feb 27, 2026; she was found unconscious at a bus shelter on Mar 1 and died of hypothermia on Mar 2. Examiner declared homicide in mid-March.

Mother Jones

Examiner listed hypothermia as the cause and homicide as the manner, indicating act or omission caused it. Temperatures fell from a 55 °F high on release day to a 36 °F high when she died.

The Guardian

A homicide finding signals responsibility by a party. DHS said ICE “had nothing to do with this woman’s death,” noting she left custody with a charged phone. Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) called the death preventable and demanded accountability. County Executive Sara Innamorato called it a tragedy that was avoidable.

The Guardian

Attorney Joseph Patrick Murphy condemned ICE for “dumping her in a bus shelter” despite psychiatric distress. Rep. Lee and Exec. Innamorato echoed his criticism, urging reforms. Case, alongside homicide ruling in death of Rohingya refugee Nurul Shah Alam, suggests a pattern of neglect after release.

Latin Times

DHS says ICE bears no responsibility, while homicide ruling attributes causation to an act or omission. ICE officials reported Michel’s ankle monitor was tampered with after her death, but medical examiner’s office declined to cooperate. No criminal investigation announced.

The Guardian

• “Ms. Michel was a vulnerable adult, suffering from untreated severe mental health issues and a significant language barrier when she was released from federal custody on February 27,” — Jim Madalinsky, Allegheny County Medical Examiner

Mother Jones

• “Daphy’s death was preventable and is the result of a violent system that cages people, surveils them, abandons them, dehumanizes them in life, and smears them in death to escape accountability,” — Rep. Summer Lee, D-PA

Mother Jones

• “She was in September clothes and it was February, and the weather overwhelmed her and she went into hypothermia,” — Joseph Patrick Murphy, attorney for Michel’s family

The Guardian

• “ICE had NOTHING to do with this woman’s death. She passed away THREE days after ICE encountered her,” — Lauren Bis, DHS spokesperson

Mother Jones

Murphy says his firm will sue ICE. Lawmakers urge reporting of post-release deaths and oversight to ensure shelter, language assistance, and medical care. The case could intensify scrutiny of ICE release protocols amid immigration detention debates.

Latin Times