UPDATE: A Bronx murder suspect, Kyron Randall, tragically died of an apparent allergic reaction while incarcerated on Rikers Island on December 21, 2025. This incident marks the 15th inmate death at the notorious detention center this year, raising urgent concerns about safety and conditions for those held there.
Randall, 33, fell ill around 12:10 p.m. while at the George R. Vierno Center. According to the Department of Correction (DOC), he suffered a reaction believed to be allergic, though the specific trigger remains undisclosed. Emergency medical assistance was provided, and he was swiftly transported to Elmhurst Hospital. Despite all efforts, Randall was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m. on December 22.
Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie expressed condolences to Randall’s family and confirmed that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death will be initiated.
Randall was arrested on June 30, 2023, facing murder charges for allegedly killing a 56-year-old man during a dispute in their apartment building on Fulton Avenue in Morrisania. The attack left the victim with severe injuries, leading to his death after slipping into a coma. Initially charged with assault, Randall’s charges were escalated to murder following the victim’s demise.
Court records reveal that Randall had been in DOC custody for nearly two years, with his trial repeatedly postponed. He was scheduled for another conference in Bronx Criminal Court on February 3, 2026.
This latest death at Rikers Island comes amid an alarming trend, as the facility has reported more deaths in 2025 than in the previous year, when 19 inmates died. Under DOC policy, Randall’s death has been reported to various oversight bodies, including the federal monitor for Rikers Island, Steve Martin, and the state Attorney General’s office.
The fate of Rikers Island remains a contentious issue, with plans to close the facility by 2027 under city law. However, there are concerns about meeting this deadline due to increasing inmate populations and delays in constructing community-based jails. Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to pursue the closure and address the urgent need for reform.
Criminal justice advocates, including Darren Mack of the Freedom Agenda, have condemned the conditions that led to Randall’s death, urging immediate action to prevent further tragedies at Rikers. “We know very clearly what we need from our incoming mayor – urgent action to stop sending people to this death camp, invest in real community safety, and finally get Rikers closed,” Mack stated.
As investigations proceed, the urgent question remains: What steps will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of those still incarcerated at Rikers Island? The implications of Randall’s death resonate beyond the facility, highlighting systemic issues within the criminal justice system that demand immediate attention.
